The Hegeler Carus Mansion in LaSalle will immediately impress children with its sheer size and imposing appearance.
A House of History Hegeler Carus Mansion will fascinate children Story by Summer Traver E Photos by Shannon Serpette
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ooking for an informative place to take your children where they’ll have to put down their devices and learn something? The Hegeler Carus Mansion in LaSalle will give children an insight into local history and how life used to be. The general tour will show them what life was like for children long before they had phones and computers, and it can give them a greater understanding about industry and immigration.
Tricia Kelly, the longtime tour director at Hegeler Carus Mansion, gives fascinating tours, sharing what she’s learned about the Hegeler Carus family, as well as tidbits about family legend and lore. She encourages children to keep records of their own, documenting their lives for future generations. “If you want your story told, keep a journal,” she said. While walking up to the mansion, one could be reminded of the Scooby-Doo haunted
4 July 2022 | Illinois Valley Parent | A NewsTribune Publication
houses or the Addams Family house because they, along with the Hegeler Carus Mansion, are all examples of Second Empire-style homes. “We are fascinated with these buildings because we grew up with them, but we didn’t grow up in them,” Kelly said. The sheer size and old age of the mansion will intrigue young visitors right from the start – it’s almost 150 years old with 57 rooms. Ten of the rooms are bedrooms, and there
