From The Archives

The Cuneo Museum

The Cuneo Museum was originally the home of Samuel Insull, a partner of inventor Thomas Edison. Insull founded the Commonwealth Edison Company in Chicago and was a pioneer in developing technology for the delivery of electrical services.

In 1914 architect Benjamin Marshall designed the Venetian style mansion and prairie style landscaper Jens Jensen laid out the gardens and park. After Insull's notorious financial collapse, John Cuneo purchased the property. He was best known as founder of the Cuneo Press and the Hawthorn Mellody Dairy. An avid collector, he filled the mansion with artwork, antique furnishings, tapestries, porcelain and silver.

As stipulated in his will, when Mrs. Cuneo died in 1990, the mansion, its collections and the surrounding estate was opened to the public and administered by the Cuneo Foundation. Public tours are conducted daily, except Monday. Concerts, lectures, art fairs and a classic car show are staged in the mansion or on the beautiful grounds. Facilities are available for wedding and party rental as well.

The Cuneo Museum