A Decadent Tour in a Chicago Gilded Age Mansion

Richard H. Driehaus Museum

Nestled among Chicago’s downtown skyscrapers is the lesser known Richard H. Driehaus Museum. The Museum building is the Nickerson Mansion built in the late 19th century and restored by Mr. Driehaus in the early 2000’s. The museum celebrates the gilded age architecture of the original home and art from that era. It is a step back in time into the lives of upper class Chicagoans.

Ornate Gilded Age Architecture

The Mansion has so many beautiful architectural features. It was common in this era to go for the extravagant and the house speaks to the decadent lifestyle of the families who owned the home and could afford to decorate in this style. I highly recommend paying the extra five dollars for a guided tour. They point out and explain all these features and share so many things you would never know on your own. The story of the building’s restoration in itself is a fascinating part of the tour. The guide explains what aspects of the home are original and which were added or changed by later generations.

Museum Tour at Tiffany’s

Another feature of the museum that the tour guides will point out to you is the various examples of Tiffany glass work. The iconic Tiffany jewelry company we know today had it’s beginnings in the gilded age with beautiful lamps and glassworks. Mr. Driehaus’s collection of them are here in the mansion selected to fit with each room’s unique stylings.

World’s Fair Memories

Upstairs amongst the family bedrooms, there is a permanent exhibit about the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago, an event the Nickerson family was highly involved in and the go to event of the era. Along with this exhibit they have a World’s Fair backdrop and some props for some fun guided age photo ops. We’re suckers for a good costume so we found this especially delightful.

My family and I were charmed by the Richard H. Driehaus Museum and savored being in such decadent surroundings. The tour was an absolute must to learn all about the history of the home and it’s pieces. We closed it out with some prop photos just for fun. Plus, I left with some serious inspiration for stepping up my game in home decor.