Duneland Area Celebrates Brown Mansion Restoration

On a pleasant summer evening, residents of the Duneland area gathered to celebrate the forthcoming renovation of the historic Brown Mansion. The highlight of this renovation will be the recreation of the mansion’s grand, wraparound porch.

Approximately 70 people attended the groundbreaking ceremony held on Thursday in Chesterton. This event marked the start of the restoration project for the Brown Mansion and the construction of a new museum facility. This new structure, designed to resemble a barn, will house the Duneland History Center, which was previously known as the Westchester Township History Museum.

The event witnessed the presence of the Westchester Public Library Board of Trustees, who are overseeing the renovation project along with the new museum building. Heather Chaddock, the executive director of the Westchester Public Library, expressed her gratitude for the pleasant weather, especially after the previous Monday’s damaging storm. She remarked on the optimism of planning the event amidst the storm’s aftermath.

“It felt wildly optimistic to be making plans for this event with the wreckage of downed trees literally surrounding us,” Chaddock commented.

The Brown Mansion, constructed in 1885, stands as a significant example of Victorian architecture. Its historical importance earned it a spot on the National Register of Historic Places. Over the years, the mansion served various purposes, from being a family home to housing school district offices. The Westchester Public Library took possession of the mansion in 2024, turning it into a museum.

According to Chaddock, after extensive discussions, there is a plan to restore the mansion and relocate the museum’s exhibits and offices to the newly constructed barn-style building. The barn is being modeled after the original structure that once stood on the property.

The renovation and construction project, managed by Berglund Construction, carries an estimated cost of $6 million and aims to be completed by spring or summer of the coming year. Justin Martinson, the president of the Westchester Public Library Board of Trustees, shared fond memories of the mansion. He recalled spending time in its basement and third-floor ballroom, appreciating its intricate woodwork and stained glass windows.

The library board has carefully accumulated the $6 million necessary for the project’s execution. The new barn facility will provide improved conditions for displaying and preserving artifacts, while the modernized Brown Mansion will meet ADA standards, ensuring community-wide accessibility.

“Visitors will be able to experience the history that I could only imagine,” Martinson noted.

Jeff Schroeder from Moake Park Group Inc., the project’s leading architect, expressed excitement in restoring the mansion to its original splendor, akin to bringing back its Victorian-era elegance.

Schroeder noted the lack of original blueprints but highlighted the reliance on old photographs to design a replica of the original porch and cupola.

“We’re going to bring her back to her historical glory,” Schroeder confirmed.

Chesterton is fortunate to have the Brown Mansion and additional developments like the YMCA’s transformation of the old Middle School site into a Healthy Living Campus.

“This site is very unique. You normally don’t find a super block like this in the middle of an established neighborhood,” Schroeder remarked.

Jane Walsh-Brown, the first curator of the Westchester Township Museum, felt immense pride attending the groundbreaking. She was instrumental in organizing the museum initially and now looks forward to the public enjoying the mansion and historical artifacts.

“I support the library board. This is just wonderful,” Walsh-Brown expressed.