McHenry Mansion facts for kids
Quick facts for kids McHenry Mansion |
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The McHenry Mansion as it appeared in June 2010.
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| Location | 906 15th St. Modesto, California, U.S. |
| Built | 1883 |
| Built for | Robert McHenry |
| Restored | 1977–1983 (first restoration) 2011–2013 (second restoration) |
| Restored by | City of Modesto |
| Architect | Jeremiah Robinson |
| Architectural style(s) | Victorian and Italianate |
| Designated | 1978 |
| Reference no. | 78000805 |
The McHenry Mansion is a beautiful old house in Modesto, California. It's a special place that looks like a mix of Victorian and Italianate styles. This historic home was built way back in 1883. It was first the home of a very important person in Modesto, Robert McHenry. Today, it's a museum where you can learn about its past.
Contents
History of the Mansion
Building the McHenry Mansion
In 1880, Robert McHenry bought five pieces of land in Modesto. He planned to build a grand home there. Mr. McHenry hired Jeremiah Robinson, a builder from Stockton, to design the mansion. Construction started in 1882 and finished in 1883. The house was built in a fancy style called High Victorian Italianate. This style was very popular at that time.
The McHenry Family Home
Robert McHenry lived in the mansion with his wife, Matilda. They lived there until Robert passed away in 1890. After Matilda died in 1896, their son Oramil McHenry moved in. Oramil lived there with his wife, Louise, and their three children.
Oramil and Louise later divorced in 1901. Oramil then married Myrtie Conneau in 1902. Myrtie inherited the mansion when Oramil died in 1906. The house changed hands again when Myrtie married William Langdon in 1908. The McHenry family lived in the mansion for 36 years. Three generations of the family called it home from 1883 to 1919.
From Home to Museum
After the McHenry family, the mansion became a different kind of place. In 1919, it was used as a health center called the Elmwood Sanitarium. Then, in 1923, it was turned into apartments called the Langdon Apartments. It stayed an apartment building until 1976.
At that time, Modesto was losing many of its old buildings. So, Aileen and Julio Gallo bought the McHenry Mansion. They did this through their foundation to save the historic house. The mansion was carefully fixed up and opened to the public in 1983. Since then, it has been a historical landmark. Visitors can take tours and learn about its history.
Recent Restoration and Stories
In 2011, the front of the mansion was damaged by a big fire. But don't worry, it was restored again. The house now looks just like it did originally. Some people have also said that strange things have happened at the mansion. These stories add to the mystery of this old and beautiful building.
