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History of Our 1911 House
Gift of Life’s current site at 705 Second Street Southwest, began as a private home built in 1911 for the Judd family. Dr. E. Starr Judd was the first surgical partner (1907) of Drs. Charles and William Mayo -- and this partnership offer came just one year after joining Dr. Charlie Mayo as an assistant! Renown as an exceptionally productive surgeon, Dr. Judd also found the time in his career to author 339 publications. Beginning in 1919, he simultaneously served as professor of surgery for Mayo Graduate School of Medicine and as chief of the surgical staff at Mayo Clinic. In 1923, he was elected president of the Minnesota State Medical Association, and just eight years later he was elected president of the American Medical Association.
Dr. Judd’s ties to the Mayo brothers were even stronger than his medical career reveals. In 1908, he married their niece, Helen Berkman, daughter of their sister, Gertrude. Together, the Judds raised five children in this home, and two of them went on to pursue careers in surgery. Judd descendants still return to visit and support Gift of Life.
The charming Georgian colonial home in which this family lived is resplendent with mahogany, walnut, oak, and white-maple woods. Its library, two fireplaces, and carved wooden banister are favorites of our guests. Of the house’s four original bedrooms, three are used as guest rooms for Gift of Life.
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