At the E. St. Julien Cox House, visitors can experience a unique blend of history and hospitality as they journey back to Victorian times. Built in 1871 by Eugene and Mariah Cox, this family-centric Carpenter Gothic home invites guests to explore stories left behind by its remarkable female inhabitants who went on to make local and state history themselves—all through exciting tours, programs, meetings, and social events hosted at the museum. Serving both as a place for community discussion & fellowship plus reliving an essential part of American culture from yesteryear.
TOURS
Tours booked between September 1 and April 30 require a minimum party of 3 adults or a $20 minimum fee.
ADMISSION
$7 | Adults
$6 | Seniors 55 years +
NCHS members and children visit for free.
ACCESSIBILITY
The Cox House welcomes all visitors. We recognize the diverse needs of our audience and strive to enable all visitors access to the house. Learn more about directions, parking, and accessibility here.
CONTACT US
500 N. Washington Ave.
Saint Peter, MN 56082
507-934-4309
cox@nchsmn.org
FEATURES OF INTEREST
The Cox House was built in 1871 by Eugene St. Julien Cox and his wife Mariah (Mayhew) Cox. The couple and their six children were the first occupants of the house and it remained in the family for three generations. In 1968 the house was donated to Nicollet County Historical Society, restored, and re-opened to the public in 1971 as a historic house museum.
What makes the house unique is its architectural style. The house is a prime example of a Carpenter Gothic-Italianate Cottage, a combination of styles that were all the rage in the latter half of the nineteenth century in the cities of the American East but would have stood out for its exuberance and style in 1870s pioneer Minnesota. The architecture shows vertical board & batten siding, pillars, long windows, and cathedral cupolas that lend an imposing look to the structure.
- Eugene St. Julien Cox was the first mayor of St. Peter
- Lillien Cox Gault was Minnesota’s first female mayor
- Irene Cox Buell was one of the first women to argue a case before the Supreme Court in Minnesota
- Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1970.
- One of the few fully restored Carpenter Gothic cottages in Minnesota.
The Sundial in the garden was given by Helen Churchill and the Minnehaha the Chapter 111 Questers in loving memory of departed members.
- Pauline (Polly) Meredith
- Doris Wetherill
- Ramona Kruse
- Natalie Nelson
- Dorothy Siebert
- Olive Strathern
- Patricia Poncin
- Lucille Engstrom
- Dr. Melva Lind
- Marjorie Halvorson
- Nina Miller Burgess
- Agnes Halvorson
- Aileen Peterson
- Helen Churchill
- Marion Lampert
- Carol Langsjoen
- Margaret Keller
- Nadine Stewart
- Theresa “T” Mollert
- Lois Pettis
- ReVae Nygard
- Beverly (Bev) Wetherill
KEEP THE COX HOUSE STANDING
Historic preservation is a constant process, and with your help, we can keep the doors open for many future generations. Donate today to help fund timely preservation projects at our stunning historic home. Immediate needs include exterior paint, and window repairs. Please help us “Keep the Cox House Standing” by donating today.
Shingling and roof repairs on the Carriage House.
Historic preservation specialist Laura Leppink working on wood window repairs in 2020.
Parts of the Carriage House waiting for repairs during a project on the building.
Volunteers work to remove a damaged window from the house for repair.