Saturday, October 13, 2007

George Martin Mansion - Naper Settlement, Illinois



Here is another picture from the Naper Settlement -- George Martin's mansion (built in 1883), fully restored. Period-dressed hosts walk you through the buildings at the museum and explain what life was like during that period in history. Very interesting!


GEORGE MARTIN
George Martin came to the United States from Scotland and settled in Naperville, Illinois. He became wealthy building bricks, blocks and tiles needed to rebuild Chicago after the great fire of 1871. In 1883, he built a 17 room house in Naperville to celebrate his wealth.
The Victorian brick mansion features a full two-story bay , “a partial front porch with elaborate Eastlake spindlework railings and columns, a small side entrance porch, and ornate wrought-iron cresting atop the roof line of both house and porch.”
Today the house is furnished entirely in the style of the 1880's Victorian. The furniture is made of dark wood and the wall coverings and draperies are in the heavy velvet of the times. The house is now owned by the Naperville Heritage Society and is located at 201 West Porter Avenue. The house is open to the public and additional information can be obtained by calling 630-420-6010. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. 2

http://www.chicago-scots.org/clubs/History/Newsletters/1997/Oct97-1.htm

http://www.napersettlement.org/museuminfo/martin_mitchell_mansion.html

1 comment:

Mary Stebbins Taitt said...

Beautiful house and interesting info. I'd love to walk through it, I bet it is very interesting.