Night at the Museum

Is there anything better than a gorgeous Beaux-Arts mansion filled with antiques, beckoning you to enter? Swoon. When I went to school in New York I used to visit the Frick Collection regularly. The Met and the Guggenheim were great, but strolling farther down Fifth and turning into the Frick’s gates on E.70th felt as though I were entering a secret world.

Now Chicago has a similar museum, the Driehaus, located only one block off of hectic Michigan Avenue, yet more than a century apart in spirit. I went to a holiday open house there tonight and was astounded at the effort that went into refurbishing this Gilded Age palace. Philanthropist Richard H. Driehaus purchased the former Nickerson mansion from the College of Surgeons next door, and has amassed a wonderful collection devoted to architecture and design, including metalwork, ceramics, glassware, furniture, stained glass, marbles and bronzes.

On his museum’s website, Driehaus writes, “Good architecture brings pleasure; it makes people feel comfortable in their larger home — this great city of Chicago.” Well said, sir. And thank you for inviting me in from the cold tonight to celebrate Christmas in 19th century splendor.

The Richard H. Driehaus Museum
50 E. Erie St. (at Wabash)
Guided tours only; call or visit website for times
312-932-8665
www.driehausmuseum.org