The Richard H. Driehaus Museum occupies the Samuel M. Nickerson House at 50 East Erie Street, a short walk west of the Magnificent Mile on Chicago’s Near North Side. Built between 1879 and 1883 for banker Samuel Nickerson, the mansion earned the nickname Gilded Age Chicago’s “Marble Palace.” Today architecture lovers and history buffs come for its restored rooms and its collection of late 19th-century decorative arts (source: Wikipedia).
Inside, marble, onyx, and carved wood cover nearly every surface. Rooms open onto a grand staircase hall, and the former gallery sits beneath a stained-glass dome. Investor Richard H. Driehaus bought the house in 2003 and opened it as a museum in 2008. The museum furnishes the rooms with period pieces, including Herter Brothers furniture and Tiffany glass, rather than recreating the Nickerson household. Rotating exhibitions add fresh perspectives on art and design from the era (source: Driehaus Museum).
Visitor Highlights & Practical Info
Weekday mornings bring the smallest crowds. Weekends and the holiday season draw more visitors. Book timed tickets and special programs online ahead of your visit (source: Driehaus Museum Tickets). Confirm current hours on the official website before you go. The CTA Red Line’s Chicago and Grand stations are each within easy walking distance. Afterward, walk two blocks west to Holy Name Cathedral or head east to shop along Michigan Avenue.
