Historic President's House
This beautifully preserved Victorian home was built in 1901, and from 1921-1993 served as the home for the VCSU Presidents and their families.
Stay With Us
President's House Guest Inn
- Dining RoomA Space Made for EntertainingThe spacious dining room, kitchen and other areas ensure every group can gather and enjoy company comfortably.
- Sleeping ArrangementsRest ComfortablyWith five upstairs bedrooms, the President's House can sleep up to 12 people.
- Historic Design1901 Victorian HomeThe house was designed with elegance and functionality in mind. Enjoy this lovely home for a night, weekend, or week.
- Places to GatherParlors, Sitting Rooms and Music AreaThere are many spaces for gathering in small or large groups in the home. Take advantage of the parlors, music room and gentlemen's room.
History of the President's House
This beautiful Victorian home was built in 1901 as the Platou Residence.
Dr. Ludvig S. Platou was a very respected member of Valley City society. He was born in Hamar, Norway and graduated from the Christiania School of Medicine. He did his post-graduate work at the Universities in Berne, Switzerland and in Vienna.
In 1891, he left his native soil and came to America. He settled at Cooperstown, where he practiced medicine until 1896, when he moved to Valley City. The house was built in an area that at the time was referred to as “the Park.” The cost of the two lots was approximately $850 and the residence around $10,000 to build.
Dr. Platou served the health needs of the community of Valley City for 22 years. He served as the county health officer from 1906 to 1910, and he also built the first real hospital in Valley City, called the Platou Hospital. As mayor of the city from 1910 to 1916, he aided the city’s growth. He was a prominent member of the democratic party and a candidate for governor on several occasions. Dr. Platou was a charter member of the Sheyenne Valley Medical Society, an organization of Barnes and Griggs County physicians, and served as their first president. He served as director, vice-president, and president of the Bank of Valley City and was a charter member of the Farmers Equity Bank in Fargo, of which he later became president. He also served as a director of the Provident Life Insurance Co. of Bismarck. Dr. Platou was said to have been a warm, personal friend of Theodore Roosevelt. According to his daughter-in-law, Joanne Platou, the doctor took Roosevelt hunting here, and the late Grace Bowen recalled him speaking from the steps of the Platou home.
Martha Platou, Dr. Platou’s wife, was a multi-talented woman with an independent spirit.
She studied art and music in Norway, had her own artist and photographer’s studio in New York and exhibited her work at the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1893. She was an artist and photographer and also an active member of the local music club. Martha Platou used her talents to design and lay out their home with the help of architects from Minneapolis, and at that time, it was considered a “most modern residence,” being built on one of the most desirable sites in Valley City.
The first floor was finished with oak woodwork, a wrap-around porch, and leaded and stained-glass windows. The window in the parlor also had the medical insignia worked into the design. The second floor had five bedrooms (including the maid’s room), two baths, and a front sitting room, all arranged around a central oak staircase. A staircase lead from the maid’s room to the kitchen. The basement was fitted out with a laundry room as well as a room for a hired man. The attic had been arranged for the doctor’s library and personal office.
The contract for the building of the house went to Robert Baillie, an early builder and contractor in Valley City who built such buildings as the second courthouse, the old First National Bank, the Episcopal Church, the Kindred Hotel, and the Opera House addition, among others. Few of his buildings survive today in Valley City. During the time of construction, the Platou house only took him five months to complete.
The Platou’s moved to Fargo in 1918 when Dr. Platou became president of the Farmer’s Equity Bank and Dr. Carlos Eben Allen, president of the Valley City State Normal School (as VCSU was known then), moved in with his family. In 1921, Dr. Allen purchased the house for the college, and it became the official residence of the presidents of the college until 1993, when it was opened to the public as a Guest Inn.
Currently, the home is still owned and operated by Valley City State University, but its restoration came from the fundraising and hard work of the “President’s House Preservation Society.”
President Ellen Chaffee helped organize the society due when the administration desired to maintain the heritage and cultural traditions that the house represents to VCSU and its alumni. The President’s House Preservation Society is an advisory committee made up of representatives from the university and community, and all their revenue goes towards the upkeep and improvement of the house.
ACCOMMODATIONS
Stay at the historic President's House Guest Inn
The historic President’s House Guest Inn is located on the campus of Valley City State University, a nationally recognized laptop university.
Free Wi-Fi is available for our guests and there is a TV on three floors with a DVD player. An additional toilet and shower can be found in the basement.
A FEW PRESIDENT’S HOUSE REMINDERS FOR ALL GUESTS
- It’s a non-smoking facility.
- The front door locks automatically; remember your key.
- Lit candles are not allowed.
- Dishes on display are NOT for use; they’re historic.
- Close all windows, lock all exterior doors, and turn off the lights, when leaving.
- Leave the house key in the entryway when leaving.
Pricing
Book your next event or stay at the VCSU President's House
The President’s House can be used any special events, such as bridal and baby showers, business meetings, family retreats, and more!
Special Event Pricing (use of the main floor and bathrooms)
- 4 hours $35.00
- 6 hours $60.00
- 12 hours $100.00
Guest Inn Pricing (kitchen available)
- 1 room for 1 night $75.00
- Entire house for 1 night $200.00
- Entire house for 2+ nights, per night $175.00
- Entire house for 7 days $1,000
(All prices are subject to change without notice and do not include applicable tax. A deposit will be required.)
The President’s House is maintained by VCSU Facilities Services staff and is governed by an advisory committee of college and community volunteers. We would appreciate any suggestions and comments that would help us make your visit more pleasant!
Information for reservations
- All appliances and cookware within the kitchen can be used, if they’re cleaned afterwards.
- There is an additional shower in the basement.
- Park in or in front of the garage on the west side of the house.
- Extra blankets, fans, and heaters are available in the closets.
- Please do not use the phone for any long-distance calls. Dial 3 and then the four-digit number for on campus phone calls. Dial 9-845 and then four-digit number for local calls.
- Do not adjust the steam registers. Thermostats are in the dining room, sitting room, main floor bedroom, and upstairs hallway.
- There is a roll-away bed and Pack-and-Play on the second floor, and another roll-away in the attic.
- If any space in the house is left messy, guests will be a cleaning fee.
- All appliances and cookware within the kitchen can be used, if they’re cleaned afterwards.
- If any space in the house is left messy, guests will be a cleaning fee.
Call Sodexo Food Services at (701) 845-7131 for catering information. Full dining services are available (at additional cost) for large or small groups.
Sodexo Food Services 845-7130
Student Center Information Desk 845-7122
Facility Services 845-7705
Emergencies After 4:00 p.m. 845-7214
Explore the Home
Sasha
“It has been a real treat for me and my husband to spend a romantic weekend here in the house. It was a mini vacation for us.”
Support the historic preservation work at the President's House
Any gifts and donations towards the preservation of this elegant home to ensure that it is available to the public and to visitors are fully tax-deductible and greatly appreciated.
Please make checks payable to:
- VCSU Foundation
- (memo – President’s House)
Send donations to:
- President’s House Preservation Society
VCSU Foundation
101 College St SW
Valley City, ND 58072