Richard H. Driehaus Museum

The gilded age in Chicago was marked by extravagant, luxury lifestyles among America’s elite, while the working class struggled to make ends meet in the fast-growing metropolis. Today, the Nickerson Mansion, one of the grandest homes to survive the era, welcomes visitors as The Richard H. Driehaus Museum and showcases the home’s lavish architecture and sumptuous interior design. 

Samuel Mayo Nickerson, a wealthy banker, and his wife, Matilda, were influential figures in late 19th century Chicago. After their original home was lost in the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, they commissioned the architectural firm Burling and Whitehouse to design their dream mansion. It was completed in 1883, and the Nickersons lived there until 1900. With its intricate woodwork, stained glass, marble and gilded accents, the mansion epitomizes the grandeur of its time. 

Throughout the year, the museum hosts lectures, special exhibitions and historical walking tours that explore the architectural heritage of the surrounding neighborhood. The halls of the home are elegantly decked for the holidays, and the museum hosts concerts and other exclusive events that celebrate the festive spirit of the season.

Keep an eye out for treasures hidden in plain sight throughout the museum. In the Reception Room, a Tiffany Studios lamp dazzles with its delicate incorporation of real nautilus shells, and in the Drawing Room, the circa 1895 Chickering & Sons grand piano seems poised to come alive with melodies of the era. Visitors can almost imagine the soft strains of Chicago songwriter Paul Dresser’s tunes filling the room, transporting visitors back to the age when Chicago was still a young city, forging its identity amid booming industry, social upheaval and architectural innovation. 50 E. Erie St., Chicago, Illinois 60611, 312/482-8933, driehausmuseum.org