Joseph Smith Mansion House facts for kids
The Joseph Smith Mansion House is an important historical building in Nauvoo, Illinois. It was built by Joseph Smith, who started the Latter Day Saint movement. Smith used this house as his family home. It also served as a public guest house, a hotel, and a place for special religious ceremonies.
Building the House
In January 1841, Joseph Smith said that Robert D. Foster should finish building a house for him. Foster built the house. The Smith family moved into the Mansion House on August 31, 1843. The house was a two-storey building. It was made of white pine wood. The building was designed in the Greek Revival style. This style was popular at the time.
A Home and a Hotel
At first, Joseph Smith used the house to welcome visitors to Nauvoo. He offered them free room and food. But it became too expensive to host so many people for free. So, in September 1843, Smith started charging guests. He turned the Mansion House into a hotel.
On September 15, 1843, a sign was put up outside the house. It explained why he had to start charging. He said his house had been a home for thousands of people. He also mentioned that his family sometimes went without food after feeding visitors. He explained that he had to open "The Mansion" as a hotel because of his "relentless enemies." He promised the best food and comfortable rooms. He also built a large stable for up to 75 horses.
In January 1844, Smith rented the hotel to Ebenezer Robinson. Robinson continued to run it.
Important Events
The Mansion House was a place for many important events. Joseph Smith displayed ancient Egyptian artifacts there. Visitors could see these items for a small fee.
Before the Nauvoo Temple was finished, Joseph Smith performed some special religious ceremonies in the Mansion House.
In June 1844, Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum were killed in Carthage Jail. Their bodies were brought back to the Mansion House. About ten thousand people came to see them on June 29. George Q. Cannon also made death masks of the Smith brothers in the house. A death mask is a mold taken from a person's face after they have died.
After Joseph Smith
After Joseph Smith's death, his wife Emma Smith and their children continued to live in the Mansion House. Emma Smith later married Lewis C. Bidamon in 1847. They lived in the house until 1869. Then they moved to the Nauvoo House. In the 1890s, the part of the house that was used as a hotel was removed.
Today's Museum
In 1918, Frederick A. Smith, who was Joseph Smith's grandson, gave the Mansion House to the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. This church is now called the Community of Christ.
The Mansion House is still owned by the Community of Christ. They operate it as a historical site and a tourist museum. It is part of the Nauvoo Historic District. This district is a National Historic Landmark, meaning it is a very important historical place in the United States.
