The Richard H. Driehaus Museum occupies the former Nickerson Mansion at 50 E Erie St, near Chicago’s Magnificent Mile. Built for banker Samuel Mayo Nickerson and later restored, the house brings the city’s Gilded Age interiors into view across three floors. Look for varied marble, carved wood, stained glass and decorative arts, including Tiffany lamps. Rotating exhibitions add a changing focus to the collection. In winter, seasonal decorations give the rooms a festive period look.
The Nickerson Mansion
The museum is housed in the former home of Samuel Mayo Nickerson, a Chicago banker. Built between 1879 and 1883, the mansion is associated with the Gilded Age, the period from the 1870s to the early 1900s. Its scale and materials set it apart from the surrounding downtown streets, close to the Magnificent Mile.
Nickerson’s house later passed through other uses, including ownership by a surgeons’ college. Chicago philanthropist Richard H. Driehaus acquired it to preserve the building and opened the museum in 2003. The restoration returned the interiors to a richly decorated state, while the museum now uses the house to present art, architecture and design from the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Details across three floors
The rooms are part of the visit, not simply a backdrop for the collection. Marble, onyx, decorative tile, stained glass and carved wood appear throughout the house. The Main Hall includes 17 types of marble, while a stained-glass dome crowns the Gallery. Look up at the ceilings and lighting, and take time with the fireplaces, mantels and furnishings as you move from room to room.
The first-floor library, living room and dining room are among the spaces to look for. The mansion also contains elaborate staircases and antique furniture. Its permanent collection includes Tiffany lamps and decorative arts from the Driehaus Collection of Fine and Decorative Arts. The combination of domestic rooms and objects gives the collection a setting connected to the period it explores.
Collections and changing exhibitions
Louis Comfort Tiffany’s work is a recurring focus, especially the lamps and stained glass in the collection. Other objects and furnishings associated with the house include a Chickering & Sons piano and an inkstand commissioned by Ludwig II of Bavaria. The museum also presents rotating exhibitions, so the additional works on view can change over time.
You can explore independently and use the museum app for more information about what you see. Wednesday afternoons after 4 p.m. have been listed as a free-admission period; that time can attract more people. In winter, holiday decorations add a seasonal layer to the historic interiors. The building is also used for special events and performances.
FAQ
Where is the Richard H. Driehaus Museum?
It is at 50 E Erie St in Chicago, near the Magnificent Mile.
How long does a visit take?
Allow about 60 to 90 minutes to walk through the three floors.
Is admission free on Wednesdays?
Free admission after 4 p.m. on Wednesdays is listed in the supplied information. This period can be busier than other times.
What can you see at the museum?
The former Nickerson Mansion has Gilded Age interiors, stained glass, marble, carved wood, Tiffany lamps and rotating exhibitions.
