Greater Minnesota - Independence
*This archived article was originally published in Spring 2005.
Thornhill
BY EVE DANIELS
Want to plan an event to remember in a place that time forgot? Linda Gode can lend a hand. Thornhill, Gode’s 62-acre property located in Independence, is where rural Minnesota meets Colonial Williamsburg. And, while the property is free from air, noise and light pollution, it’s also a convenient, half-hour drive from the Twin Cities.
Named after the prickly plants that once inhabited the landscape, the entire property is anchored in the Atlantic Seaboard of the 18th century. From a simple, Connecticut barn, to a croquet green and dogwood maze, to the red farmhouse showcasing her collection of American antiques, it’s clear that Gode has done her research.
Built just 16 years ago, Gode’s farmhouse was designed from plans for a 1790 Cape Cod home. The interior features 200-year-old wood floors salvaged from New England buildings, as well as authentic furnishings like a tiger maple Queen Anne highboy, a candle chandelier and a walk-in cooking fireplace.
Since 2003, when she first began to lend out the property as an event venue, Gode has collaborated with planners of corporate retreats, holiday events, private dinner engagements and fund-raisers ranging from five to 500 guests.
The event season at Thornhill runs from spring into late fall. Together with the colonial-inspired farmhouse, which accommodates up to 20 guests, events may be held in the barn, the formal gardens, the croquet courts or the maze. Gode prepares the food and refreshments or area companies cater the event. In addition to old-fashioned hospitality, guests take in a spectacular view of herb and perennial gardens, wetlands and prairies blooming with wildflowers.
In the name of entertainment, Gode has worked with planners to transform Thornhill into a Mardi Gras hotspot, a Caribbean paradise, a czarist kingdom, a Haitian village, a winter wonderland — the ideas are infinite.
“My goal is to create events complementary in theme and style but unique in every detail,” said Gode. “Whether it’s a board meeting or a company picnic or a wedding, each one is treated with equal verve.”
