Reddick Mansion and Gardens, Illinois, United States
4.5 (37 reviews) Spent Ranking #3 in Ottawa Speciality Museums
Don't miss the Reddick Mansion if you are in the area
We had a great tour with a knowledgeable guide. The story of the family and the house was interesting and I was impressed with the progress they have made to restore the home to its former glory. The guide had so much information to share and could answer every question we posed. The fee was a little higher than I expected but I know the money collected is needed to continue their work to restore the house so we happily paid.
Address
100 W Lafayette St, Ottawa, IL 61350-2108
Mobile
Website
http://reddickmansion.org/
Current local date and time now
Tuesday, May 14, 2024, 16:49
User Ratings
4.5 based on (37 reviews)
Excellent
70%
Good
22%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Reviews
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5Betsy N 5:00 PM Jun 25, 2021
Beautiful and informative
This was an unexpected 5 star visit. I had no idea the mansion existed. I was searching for interesting places to visit near Starved Rock. I stumbled upon the mansion. We were near the mansion and got stuck by a freight train. I called and they held the tour for us. Awesome customer service. The tour guide was very interesting and informative. I learned fascinating things about the mansion, family, and Ottawa. Definitely make plans to visit!
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5Taylor B 5:00 PM Aug 22, 2022
Site of the first Lincoln-Douglas debate
One of the things my wife and I enjoy doing most of all while traveling from coast to coast is to visit historic mansions, estates and houses...Colonial or Antebellum or Gilded Age in places such as Charleston or Natchez or Newport. The latest was Reddick Mansion and Gardens in Ottawa, Illinois. Located at 100 West Lafayette Street, it is historically important and architecturally unique. It anchors Washington Square, site of the first Lincoln-Douglas debate. Built in 1855, the 22-room Italianate mansion was said to be the most expensive and more ornate private home built in Illinois before the Civil War. Take a step back into the 19th century and tour the Reddick mansion, where numerous rooms have been restored to their 1850s grandeur. The house, built by William Reddick, a prominent central Illinois businessman and politician, was the home to the Reddick family for 30 years. It stands 50 feet in height and measures 55 by 64 feet. Colorful contrasts of cream Lemont limestone and a rich red brick give the exterior a unique appearance in comparison to other Italianate homes. The interior was no less elaborate. It contains four floors and an attic. Each floor is laid out with three large rooms east of a north-south hallway. West of the hallway were laid out two large rooms to the south and two smaller rooms with a servants' stair at the rear. A large stairway connects the floors in the main hallway. Public tours are offered at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Friday through Monday.
