Historic Chicago: the most beautiful mansion museums

Chicago is well known for having world-class museums, but they’re often crowded with tourists. If you’re a history buff looking for something a little more quiet, check out a few of Chicago’s historical homes that have been turned into museums. Not only do they house wonderful artifacts, but the buildings themselves are architecturally stunning.

The Driehaus Museum

Nestled conveniently in River North, The Driehaus Museum is a stunning example of late 19^thcentury architecture. The mansion has intricate woodwork in all of its rooms and boasts an exquisite stained glass dome ceiling that was completed in 1901. Between 2003 and 2008, the house underwent an extensive restoration focused on conservation and preservation. Today, you can tour the house and check out its regular collection of artifacts. Many exhibitions also travel to the museum. Recently, the Driehaus hosted the wildly popular Dressing Downton: Changing Fashion for Changing Times, an exhibition of clothes and accessories from the British series Downton Abbey.

The Robie House

No Chicagoland tour of magnificent architecture would be complete without a home designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. The Robie House is located on the University of Chicago campus in Hyde Park, a neighborhood well known for its abundance of historical homes. This home is a perfect example of Wright’s Prairie style, which is characterized by low, horizontal lines in the architecture. Not only did he design the home itself, but Wright also had a hand in designing the stained glass window panes, furniture, and other ornamentation. You can see his love of geometry in the diamond shapes and patterns that have become synonymous with the Frank Lloyd Wright style. The Robie House is just one of the many homes in the Chicago area designed by the famous architect.

Glessner House Museum

When thinking of Victorian architecture, most people picture elaborate Gothic styles full of ornamentation and decorative trim. The John Jacob Glessner House, though designed in the late 1800s, deviates from traditional Victorian style. The home looks more like a stone medieval fortress than the typical dollhouse-looking styles of the 19^th century. Inside, the house holds nearly all original artifacts and looks just like it did when the original Glessner family lived there. One of the most beautiful features is a Steinway grand piano, complete with wood scroll work and patterns inlaid with mother-of-pearl. The piano is still in working order and is often used for performances. While you’re in the area, you can also stop next door at Chicago’s oldest home, the Clarke House. This house was built in the American Greek Revival style in 1836 and is now owned by the city of Chicago.

Cantigny Park

The last home on our list is a 45 minute Uber ride from Chicago, but it’s absolutely worth the effort. Cantigny is a 500-acre estate that once belonged to Chicago Tribune publisher Robert R. McCormick. It has since been transformed into a spacious public park that includes two museums, a 27-hole golf course, and an education center. The home itself was finished in 1897 and has 35 rooms that show the story of McCormick’s publishing career as well as his military career. McCormick served in the United States Army during World War I, which explains the presence of historical tanks and artillery around the grounds. Cantigny holds a large collection of military artifacts and documents which are available to students and educators. The estate also holds tons of events throughout the year like Shakespeare in the Park, a war reenactment, and many outdoor concerts. Make sure to check out the park’s calendar before you visit!