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An American Palace

Chicago's Samuel M. Nickerson House
By David Bagnall
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Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
An American Palace: Chicago's Samuel M. Nickerson House chronicles the storied history of one of Chicago's most magnificent Gilded Age residences. Built in the early 1880s for banker Samuel M. Nickerson, the house showcases exquisite architecture and interior design from a period of remarkable economic and cultural growth in the Midwest. Restored and opened as the Driehaus Museum, it features outstanding woodwork, stained glass, tiling, and a premier collection of decorative arts, including works by Louis Comfort Tiffany. This richly illustrated volume offers readers a detailed narrative and visual tour, placing the house within the broader context of Chicago's architectural heritage.
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Format: Hardback
$7199
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book will captivate readers interested in historic American architecture, decorative arts enthusiasts, and those passionate about the Gilded Age and Chicago's cultural history. It is ideal for museum visitors, art historians, and heritage preservation supporters.

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Explores the rich and varied history of one of Chicago's grandest Gilded Age residences - Chicago's Samuel M Nickerson House. This title provides a comprehensive history and photographic tour of the Samuel M Nickerson house while situating it within Chicago's rich legacy of architectural and interior design.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

An American Palace: Chicago’s Samuel M. Nickerson House explores the rich and varied history of one of Chicago’s grandest Gilded Age residences. Commissioned by Chicago banker Samuel M. Nickerson in 1879, the house was designed by the architectural firm Burling and Whitehouse of Chicago and finished in 1883. This was during a time of unprecedented economic growth in the Midwest between the end of the Civil War and the outbreak of World War I.

Following a long and checkered history of both private and institutional ownership, the property was established as a museum in 2003 by Chicago philanthropist Richard H. Driehaus. It underwent a meticulous and extensive renovation before opening to the public in 2008. In addition to featuring exceptionally restored woodwork, stained glass, and tiling, the museum also holds a diverse collection of decorative and fine arts from the period between 1880 and 1920. This includes one of the country’s leading private collections of works by the preeminent American designer Louis Comfort Tiffany.

Today the Driehaus Museum offers visitors an opportunity to experience first-hand the prevailing design philosophies of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Beautifully illustrated, this volume provides a comprehensive history and stunning photographic tour of the Samuel M. Nickerson house while firmly situating it within Chicago’s rich legacy of architectural and interior design.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Stephanie Meeks, president and CEO of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, praises the book as "the next best thing to exploring the mansion and its fabulous collection of decorative arts in person." She highlights the restoration's success in reviving the home's original splendour and commemorates its role in preserving America's Gilded Age architectural legacy.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780615478449

Publisher: Driehaus Museum Press

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 15 February 2012

Country: United States

Imprint: Driehaus Museum Press

Audience: Professional and scholarly

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 2.0mm

Width: 30.0mm

Height: 24.0mm

Weight: 992g

Pages: 120

Collections

Arts & Culture David Bagnall Non-Fiction

About the Author

David Bagnall served as director and curator of the Richard H. Driehaus Museum. Bagnall is an art historian and a graduate of the Courtauld Institute of Art, University of London. He lives in Oak Park, Illinois, with his wife and daughter.

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