Mayslake Peabody Estate
Mayslake Peabody Estate | |
Tudor Revival | |
NRHP reference No. | 93000836[1] |
---|---|
Added to NRHP | November 8, 1994 |
The Mayslake Peabody Estate is an
Originally encompassing an area of over 848
On November 8, 1994, Mayslake Hall was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[1]
History
Construction and early ownership
The Mayslake Peabody Estate was constructed from 1919 to 1921 for wealthy
Peabody first began purchasing land in the eastern portion of
Only a year after Mayslake Hall was completed, on August 27, 1922, Francis Peabody died of a
Later ownership and additions
After Francis Peabody's death, his family did not wish to reside at the estate, and on March 28, 1924, the estate was sold to the
In 1927, the St. Joseph Seminary was added to the complex, but was later demolished. In 1951, an additional wing was added to the country house (now known as the retreat wing). St. Paschal's Friary was built on the estate between 1952 and 1964. The Friary was demolished in 2011. During the 1930s and 1970s, the Franciscans sold large portions of the estate.
In 1991, the Franciscans announced the pending sale of the remaining 87 acres (350,000 m2) to a developer who planned to raze remaining buildings and build 130 luxury homes. Conservationists, historic preservationists and DuPage County citizens formed a group to save the historic property.[4] With the assistance of the group's efforts, DuPage County voters approved a $17.5 million referendum providing the Forest Preserve District with funds to purchase Mayslake in 1992.[4] The area is now part of the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County. Mayslake Hall hosts cultural and educational programs throughout the year, including lectures, art classes, and concerts. Restoration-In-Progress tours of the hall take place on Saturdays and Wednesdays.[6] The estate is also home to First Folio Theatre.
The Mayslake Peabody Estate has been used as a film location for several television and movie projects. It was used as the main location for the independent feature film, "Eye of the Sandman,"
Architecture
Mayslake Hall was designed in the
Mayslake Hall features a library, kitchen, private study, numerous bedrooms and bathrooms, servant's quarters, and other rooms. Francis Peabody's private study contains a secret staircase leading to a basement.[4]
During years of disrepair, the building suffered significant architectural and structural damage, but is being remediated by a restoration process within Mayslake Hall. The restoration is ongoing and is featured during tours of Mayslake Hall.
The service complex was designed by Howard Van Doren Shaw including servants' quarters, horse stables, garages, workshops, and a greenhouse, but these service buildings have since been razed.[8]
References
- ^ a b "ILLINOIS - Du Page County". National Register of Historic Places. Retrieved 2007-09-16.
- ^ "Peabody Estate at Mayslake". Partners in Preservation. Retrieved 2007-09-16.
- ^ a b c "Mayslake Forest Preserve". Forest Preserve District of DuPage County. Archived from the original on 2007-08-30. Retrieved 2007-09-16.
- ^ a b c d e f g Cunniff, Bill (May 24, 2002). "Coal baron's 1920 mansion in Oak Brook opens to public". Chicago Sun-Times. Find Articles. Archived from the original on March 15, 2016. Retrieved 2007-09-16.
- ^ "Peabody Energy (NYSE:BTU)". Peabody Energy. Archived from the original on 2007-09-11. Retrieved 2007-09-17.
- ^ "Mayslake Peabody Estate". Forest Preserve District of DuPage County. Retrieved 2016-05-05.
- ^ "Eye of the Sandman". Spit Pillow. Retrieved 2008-04-24.
- ^ ISBN 978-1580934206.
External links
- "Mayslake Peabody Estate". Mayslake Peabody Estate website. Retrieved 2007-09-16.