Blumenrain

Blumenrain is the official residence of the United States Ambassador to Switzerland and Liechtenstein. It is located in the Monbijou area of Bern, Switzerland. The United States Department of State purchased the property in 1947 and has been furnished by the Foreign Buildings Office 1947, 1948 and 1949 in a mixture of styles including Louis XIV, XV, XVI and "American Comfortable." In 1977, FBO had its interior decorator refurbish some of the reception and Ambassadorial rooms.

History

The current residence of the ambassador is located on the grounds which once were home to the cottage of Elisabeth von Fischer, of a wealthy Bernese Patrician family. Between 1823 and 1837 it has been owned by August Friedrich Wilhelm von Wurstemberger, originally the grounds encompassed also where currently the building of the Federal Department of Justice and Police is located.
In 1912, Dr. Albert de Muralt, also of a Patrician family, purchased the property and commissioned the new building to famous architect René von Wurstemberger, a relative of the former owner. The house was then referred to as "Rain" which was one of his last works, another notable one being the Bern Theatre.
Upon the death of de Muralt it was inherited by his children; Raoul de Muralt, Yvonne Barbara Favre, Genevieve Marie von Tavel and Hermine Germaine Syz. They sold the building and grounds in 1947 to the United States Department of State for 672,200 Swiss Francs. The first to occupy the building was Leland B. Harrison on a private lease.