The Mansion through the years
The Hegeler Carus Mansion -- An Architectural Gem and an Important Piece of History
As well as co-founding what was to become the largest zinc smelting operation in the United States, Edward Hegeler launched Open Court Publishing to foster the discussion of philosophy, science, and religion. He and his wife, Camilla Weisbach Hegeler, commissioned W. W. Boyington to design their 52 room Mansion and employed August Fiedler to design its interior.
"The Hegeler Carus Mansion and its collection are a direct link to that which made Illinois a world cultural center in the later 19th century. The treasures of the Hegeler Carus Mansion show it to be the most important survivor of German heritage of its time. This is a unique distinction not only for La Salle and Illinois, but also for the United States." Rolf Achilles, Art Historian and Professor at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago
Their daughter, Mary Hegeler, married Dr. Paul Carus, editor of Open Court Publishing, and together they raised their six children in the Mansion, too. The Mansion was a hub of intellectual thought and cultural activities as these families grew. The Foundation today continues this legacy with their educational and cultural programs.