Any good story starts with a beginning. While still studying in Freiberg, Edward Hegeler developed a friendship with fellow student Friedrich Wilhelm Matthiessen in 1835 in the province of Schleswig-Holstein, then part of Denmark. The two friends had numerous things in common: similar economic backgrounds, values, and goals. They formed a most successful association that lasted until the death of Edward Hegeler in 1910. And both were America bound, determined to seek their fortunes in the New World.

After graduating from the Mining Academy with the degree of “Mining Engineer” in the spring of 1856, Mr. Hegeler remained in Freiberg to perform a specific mine surveying job, while Mr. Matthiessen took the opportunity to attend a series of lectures by the already-famous Professor Bunsen at the University of Heidelberg. Later that year, the two mining engineers jointly toured the mining districts of Germany, Belgium, and England. They crossed the Atlantic and landed in Boston, Massachusetts. Then traveled to New York, Friedensville, Pittsburg, and St. Louis trying to find the perfect location for their dream of an up-and-coming business.

Their search led them to La Salle. They found that in Wisconsin the zinc ore was suitable for smelting. The nearest coalfields were in Northern Illinois, so they focused on the La Salle, Illinois area. Since the smelting process required more coal than ore, it made sense to locate the smelter next to the coal supply and to transport the ore from Wisconsin to La Salle.

Mr. Hegeler then discussed the prospect of the zinc manufacturing facility with the La Salle businessmen who were very receptive to the idea. La Salle also had several other promising aspects to it: work was being completed on the Illinois and Michigan Canal, the Illinois river was adjacent to the city, the Illinois Central Railroad ran through it as well as a couple other major railroads. The Illinois Central RR would run to Warren, Illinois, and the Mineral Point RR would run south to Warren. This is most likely the method of transport they used to get the zinc to La Salle. The land for the factory was obtained with the help of the Mayor of La Salle, Alexander Campbell, from the Illinois Central Railroad. The deal was very promising in Matthiessen and Hegeler’s favor: the land was essentially inexpensive, and the Matthiessen and Hegeler Company (M&H) would have to promise to do all their product transportation with the Illinois Central Railroad.

On December 24, 1858, the first shovelful of dirt was turned up in the construction of the new plan. And Matthiessen and Hegeler Zinc Company (M&H Zinc) was born.

We are starting a new series in May called Tuesday’s Teaser Tours. Every Tuesday we will send out a new Teaser tour. The video will be 1 to 2 minutes long devoted to something special in the Mansion. We hope this will intrigue you to come and visit firsthand the Mansion. Even excite you to share the videos with family and friends and become a promoter of this local treasure.

Our Summer Concert line-up has been finalized. Starting on Friday, May 28th and going through September 3rd with the exception of July 2nd (no-concert) the music will begin. Gates open at 6 pm. Concerts start at 6:30 pm to 8:00. There will be a 50/50 raffle drawing at each concert. On June 25th we will have a special tribute to our “Volunteers” for their countless hours of dedication, service, and help at the Mansion.

And it has become a tradition during the Concert series to have two dates dedicated to the “Best Picnic Set-up”. The contest dates will be July 16th and September 3rd, gift prizes will be a gift basket from Tangled Roots Brewing Co./The Lone Buffalo plus free tour passes to the Mansion. We are looking forward to seeing your creativity.

Since we reopened, we have added two NEW tours to our schedule. After a guest has taken the General Tour and is interested in seeing more of the Mansion, we recommend one of three additional house tours. The NEW Upper House tour is a two-hour tour that covers the Bedroom Floor, Attic, Second Attic, and Cupola. Many of the bedrooms are still furnished. The Attic abounds with books, furnishings, musical instruments, clothing, and even an object of medical quackery. The Cupola gives you a panoramic view of the Illinois Valley and three important bridges (Lincoln Memorial, Shipping port, ICC).

The NEW Lower House tour is also a two-hour tour and that covers the Ground Floor, Gym, Basement, and Boiler Room. The Mansion houses the oldest private gymnasium in the United States, as well as most of the original equipment. The Basement is home to a veritable treasure trove of artifacts from Open Court Publishing, including printing plates, page plates, typesetting machines, draft binders, print cabinets, etc. One object in particular is universally jaw-dropping. We cannot tell you what it is, because we love seeing the expression on people’s faces when they see it for the first time.

Now for the GOLDEN oldie, the Whole House Tour. When half of something just will not do, the Whole House Tour is right for you. It is our most popular tour; the Whole House Tour is a 3.5 to 4 hours of guided adventure beginning in the Attic and working our way downward through the stories and artifacts floor by floor until we have reached the Gym and Basement. We encourage guests to take the General Tour first. There is so much to learn and see we want our guests to get the fullest experience they can. The Whole House Tour expands well beyond the basic local, national, and international history. Do not hesitate; come and see for yourself.