Makepeace’s great-great-great grandfather Phillip H. Gross built New Ulm’s first hotel, the Minnesota Haus after immigrating from Germany. He operated the hotel into the 1890s.

The wooden hotel burned down in 1860 and was rebuilt as the Union Hotel. Dances and theatrical performances were held on the second floor.

The hotel was used as a hospital where Dr. William Worrall Mayo was a doctor during the U.S.-Dakota War of 1862.

Burning down a second time, the hotel was rebuilt with bricks in 1874 and designed by architect Julius Berndt, who also designed the Hermann Monument in New Ulm.

The Kabaret is the main entertainment space at The Grand. The Kabaret was one of the first parts of the building to be renovated after being being acquired by Anne Makepeace. Band playing all variety of music have performed in the space, with more schedule for this next year.

The Grand Hotel represents mid-Victorian period of commercial design with Italianate style in the Minnesota River Valley.

Now a volunteer at The Grand Center for Arts & Culture, Makepeace talked about the building and what it means to her.

“This is my life’s work now. It’s very fulfilling to me. I feel good about where we are at today,” said Makepeace, now a volunteer with the non-profit organization that governs The Grand Center for Arts & Culture.

“My great-great-great grandfather, Phillip H. Gross, operated the hotel into later in the 1890s. My family didn’t know anything about it until I moved to Minnesota in 1981. My dad said Gross came to a small town in Minnesota, New Ulm. I came to New Ulm for the first time in 1983,” she said.

“The anniversary we are really celebrating (Feb. 7) is the 150th anniversary of the hotel building. This building was dedicated in 1875,” said Makepeace.

Photo courtesy of the The Grand Center for Arts & Culutre The Grand Hotel is pictured at right about a century ago on Minnesota Street.

Growing up in Milwaukee, Makepeace worked as a vocational rehabilitation counselor and later in human resources in the Twin Cities before learning of her family history with the hotel and buying it in November 2000.

Input at community meetings revealed New Ulm had no art center and such a thing was sought.

A board of directors helped create an art center. Major building renovation took place from 2012 to 2014 after the non-profit organization was created 15 years ago.

“It took a while to get the project going. We had to raise money,” said Makepeace.

Makepeace was asked to become the executive director in 2017.

Photo courtsey of The Grand Center for Arts & Culture German immigrant Phillip G. Gross built New Ulm’s first hotel in 1876. He is the great-great-great grandfather of Anne G. Makepeace.

A number of programs began to grow after the building was renovated. An artisan gift shop, artist-in-residence program, children’s and youth arts programs including summer camps, the smallest museum in Minnesota on the sidewalk outside the front door, a cellar press and recently a book binding room opened on the second floor.

A year ago, former international businessman and photographer and history-lover John Kellen of Willmar became executive director at The Grand. Kellen’s photographs were recently displayed in the 4 Pillars Gallery at The Grand. He’s also been busy writing grants and is a budding film-maker.

The Grand’s 15-year anniversary will be celebrated Saturday, Feb. 7. Mankato-based City Mouse will perform a musical blend of originals, country, bluegrass, country-rock and blues from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Wood-fired pizza will be served.

Reservations are available for Grand Center for Arts & Culture members and the board of directors due to space limitations at The Kabaret at The Grand.

For more information, visit thegrandnewulm.org.

Staff photo by Fritz Busch The Grand Center for Arts & Culture founder Anne G. Makepeace, stands near the Grand Kabaret bar at The Grand. The Mankato-based band City Mouse will perform originals, country, bluegrass, country-rock and blues at The Grand’s 15th anniversary party 7-9:30 p.m. Feb. 7. Reservations can be made by members of The Grand Center and its board of directors.