Oak Park in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Pleasant Home

The John Farson House

Photographed by Sean Flynn, August 15, 2023

1. Pleasant Home Marker

Inscription.
Pleasant Home is a National Historic Landmark designed by prominent Prairie School architect George W. Maher in 1897. It is one of the earliest and most distinguished examples of Prairie School architecture. The richly artistic interior features extraordinary art glass, custom furniture and light fixtures, carved woodwork, expansive windows and repeated decorative motifs. Though Maher designed more than 300 significant structures in the United States, Pleasant Home is the only residence open to the public. Pleasant Home is owned by the Park District of Oak Park and is being operated and restored by the Pleasant Home Foundation.

The Historical Society of Oak Park and River Forest
The Historical Society of Oak Park and River Forest, located within Pleasant Home, operates a local history museum, research center, and archives. The museum includes a period bedrooma children's activity. room, and changing exhibits on fashion and area history. The Historical Society has a collection of thousands of photographs, costumes and artifacts that make the area's history come alive. The collection is accessible, through special programs,

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exhibits and the research center.

Erected by Village of Oak Park and Park District of Oak Park.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Notable Buildings • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1897.

Location. 41° 53.135′ N, 87° 48.01′ W. Marker is in Oak Park, Illinois, in Cook County. It is at the intersection of Home Avenue and Pleasant Street, on the left when traveling north on Home Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 217 Home Avenue, Oak Park IL 60302, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Chicago.

It is also in the American Midwest

and on the Great Lakes.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Mills Park and Pleasant Home (a few steps from this marker); a

Pleasant Home image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean Flynn, August 15, 2023

2. Pleasant Home

different marker also named Mills Park and Pleasant Home (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Mills Park and Pleasant Home (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Mills Park and Pleasant Home (about 300 feet away); Henrietta Lacks (about 500 feet away); Fibonacci (about 500 feet away); Solar System (about 500 feet away); Volcanoes (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Oak Park.

More about this marker. The Historical Society of Oak Park and River Forest moved in 2018 to the Oak Park River Forest Museum at 129 Lake Street, which opened the prior year inside the 1898 Cicero Fire House No. 2.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Mills Park and Pleasant Home, Oak Park, IL

Also see . . .
1. Pleasant Home. Wikipedia entry:
Links to National Historic Landmark Nomination (Submitted on December 7, 2024, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

2. George W. Maker Society. Website homepage (Submitted on August 16, 2023, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Additional keywords. Oak park pleasant home mills park

Pleasant Home and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean Flynn, August 15, 2023

3. Pleasant Home and Marker

The back of the marker has a map of Oak Park.

Pleasant Home’s National Historic Landmark Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean Flynn, August 15, 2023

4. Pleasant Home’s National Historic Landmark Marker

It is to the right of the main stairway entrance to the Pleasant Home grounds on Home Avenue.

Pleasant Home markers at entrance image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean Flynn, August 15, 2023

5. Pleasant Home markers at entrance

December 4, 2021

6. Pleasant Home

Pleasant Home survey, circa 1933 image. Click for full size.

Library of Congress

7. Pleasant Home survey, circa 1933

A survey of Pleasant Home from around 1933, one of 28 preserved by the Library of Congress

Credits. This page was last revised on December 7, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 16, 2023, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 278 times since then and 18 times this year. Last updated on August 25, 2023, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 16, 2023, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 6. submitted on August 17, 2023, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. 7. submitted on August 17, 2023, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.