The Jacob Henry Masion Estate

Over Labor Day weekend I attended a wedding in Joliet, IL at The Jacob Henry Mansion Estate.  The mansion sits almost in the center of downtown Joliet.  Jacob Henry built the mansion in 1873; he was a wealthy railroad magnate.  The mansion took three years to complete and has 16,800 square feet and over 40 rooms.  There are fire places in many of the rooms with ornate black walnut and oak wood carved mantles and built-ins around them. 


The mansion is now used primarily for receptions, lunches, teas, etc.  Two of the second floor bedrooms are set up as dining areas, while two others are set to look as they did when the mansion was built.  The bedrooms are HUGE and each has large windows and doors.  The lower level, where the main reception areas are still look like 4 or 5 separate rooms.  The main living room is a large room with hardwood floors for dancing and entertaining.  What appears to be the original dining room was used for socializing and appetizers.  A room, most likely a study was set up with tables for dining.  There are modern conveniences such as air conditioning, multiple bathrooms and a built in bar area for parties, but the house still looks very much like it did 100 years ago I'm sure.


Attached to the property is an old chapel, no longer used as a place of worship but used only for weddings.  Built onto the chapel is another reception area and a courtyard connects the chapel to the mansion.  Friday before Labor Day there were 3 weddings there before the rehearsal I attended and Saturday there were at least 4 events on the property.


For more information you can visit www.jacobhenrymansion.com.  If you ever get to Joliet, IL I highly suggest visiting the mansion.  The downtown area was similar to Dayton, although larger and a bit more thriving.