Nickerson House, Northern Illinois Travel Guide

Located at 40 East Erie Street in Chicago, the Nickerson House, now the Driehaus Museum, is a meticulously preserved landmark that exemplifies the grandeur of the Gilded Age. Built for Samuel and Mathilda Nickerson in 1883, this 24,000-square-foot mansion was designed by Edward J. Burling and features lavish interiors with 17 types of marble, intricate woodwork, mosaics, and more.Samuel Nickerson, a prominent banker and businessman, commissioned the house to showcase his wealth and growing art collection. The mansion quickly became a hub for social gatherings and artistic display, hosting masquerade balls and receptions. The Nickersons were avid art collectors and displayed their American and European paintings, along with other unique items, for guests and students to admire. In 1900, the Nickerson's donated their collection to the Art Institute of Chicago.The house itself was considered one of Chicago's first fireproof residences, incorporating brick masonry, iron beams, and mortar-bedded flooring strips. After the Nickersons, the mansion was sold and eventually donated to the American College of Surgeons. Today, as the Driehaus Museum, it offers guided tours and exhibits that highlight the history, culture, and decorative arts of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Visitors can explore the restored rooms, admire the original furnishings, and immerse themselves in the opulence of a bygone era.