Cheney mansion turns 100 this year

Oak Park’s treasured Cheney Mansion (220 N. Euclid, Oak Park) turned 100 this year, and although the celebrations were low key, the centennial birthday didn’t go entirely unnoticed.

The mansion was built in 1913 by architect Charles E. White Jr., who was a student of famed architect and Oak Parker Frank Lloyd Wright. White moved to Oak Park to marry a local woman and began working for Wright 10 years before constructing the Cheney Mansion, which is known now to be among his most important works.

The 12,000-square-foot mansion has several reception rooms, six bedrooms, seven bathrooms and servants’ quarters that aren’t connected to the main house. It’s surrounded by two acres of landscaped grounds, which include a greenhouse as well as a coach house.

Although the home had several owners, its last owner—Elizabeth F. Cheney—deeded it to Oak Park in 1975.

“The mansion is special because it is a landmark property owned by the Park District of Oak Park,” says Poppy Vogel, supervisor of operations for the Cheney Mansion. “That’s rare for park districts and we own three.”

Celebrations were low key for the 100th anniversary. Mansion curators held a traditional picnic in the park on May 19, allowing guests to spread out on the grounds and enjoy lunch with the mansion in the backdrop.

If you missed that celebration, there’s still a chance to go wish the Cheney Mansion a happy anniversary on your own. The grounds and the home are open every Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Guests can explore the many rooms and the beautiful grounds for several hours. And while there’s no admission fee, the mansion does ask for a nonperishable food donation for the Oak Park Food Pantry.

For more information about the Cheney Mansion, visit www.cheneymansion.com.