Lockwood–Mathews Mansion facts for kids
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Lockwood–Mathews Mansion
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South side of the mansion
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| Location | 295 West Avenue, Norwalk, Connecticut |
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| Built | 1864 |
| Architect | Detlef Lienau |
| Architectural style | Second Empire |
| NRHP reference No. | 70000836 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | December 30, 1970 |
| Designated NHL | December 30, 1970 |
The Lockwood–Mathews Mansion is a beautiful old house in Norwalk, Connecticut. It was built in a fancy style called Second Empire. Today, it is a museum where you can learn about history.
This huge house has 62 rooms and was built between 1864 and 1868. It was made for a very rich businessman named LeGrand Lockwood. The mansion is so special that it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was also named a National Historic Landmark in 1978. Experts say it's one of the best and oldest Second Empire style houses in the United States. You can find it at 295 West Ave., in Mathews Park. The Stepping Stones Museum for Children is also in this park.
History of the Mansion
As a Private Home
The mansion was built on a large property once called "Elm Park." It was the home of LeGrand Lockwood, who made a lot of money from railroads and banking. Building the house started in 1864 in Norwalk, near the Norwalk River. It took four years to finish.
The architect who designed the mansion was Detlef Lienau. He was trained in Europe and worked in New York. The house is about 44,000 square feet in total. It has over 26,000 square feet of living space. Many American and immigrant workers helped build and decorate the house. Famous New York companies, like Herter Brothers, helped furnish the inside.
In 1869, Lockwood faced money problems. He passed away in 1872. Because of this, his family lost the mansion in 1874. A rich retired businessman named Charles D. Mathews bought the property in 1876. The Mathews family lived in the mansion until Charles's daughter Florence passed away in 1938.
As a Museum
The Lockwood–Mathews Mansion was built to be very grand. It was an early example of the fancy homes rich New Yorkers, like the Vanderbilts, would build later. These homes were part of the Gilded Age, a time of great wealth.
In 1941, the City of Norwalk bought the property. They made it a public park. However, in 1959, the city planned to build a city hall in the park. They wanted to tear down the mansion. This caused a big disagreement, and many people worried the mansion would be destroyed.
Local groups who wanted to save old buildings stepped in. They formed the Lockwood–Mathews Mansion Museum, Inc. The Junior League of Stamford-Norwalk helped lead a big effort to fix up the mansion in the late 1960s. Many groups supported them, including the National Trust for Historic Preservation. In 1971, the home was named a National Historic Landmark.
The museum's goal is to protect the building. They also create programs to teach people about life in the Victorian era. There are plans to make the museum even better. This includes adding an elevator and new heating and cooling systems.
Every Christmas, the mansion has a special tradition. Interior decorators decorate about a dozen rooms for the holidays. There's also an annual "community celebration" in December. It features Christmas music, snacks, and Santa Claus. The museum has also hosted an antique show every year since 1978.
Over the years, some original items have been brought back to the mansion. Two marble statues, made in 1859, were bought back for $185,000. A sofa that was originally in the home was also bought for $165,000.
Mansion on the Big Screen
The Lockwood–Mathews Mansion has been a star in movies! It was used as a filming location for the 2004 movie The Stepford Wives. The movie studio paid the museum to paint its main rotunda. They also left behind some large paintings. These paintings make the rotunda look even more dramatic. The mansion was also featured in the movie House of Dark Shadows.
See also
