The Wyeth-Tootle Mansion of the St. Joseph Museums will open for the tourism season on Friday, April 6.
The Mansion, which illustrates the cultural, architectural, and economic history of 19th century St. Joseph, will be open on Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. through October.
According to a press release, the Wyeth-Tootle Mansion was built for William and Eliza Wyeth, who arrived in St. Joseph in 1858. William ran his own wholesale-retail business called the Wyeth Hardware and Manufacturing Company and Wyeth Saddle Factory. The Wyeths hired architect E. J. Eckel to design the 43-room home and it was completed in 1879. The couple asked Eckel to create a design that resembled the castles they had seen on the Rhine River as they were traveling in Germany. In order to create that effect, Eckel incorporated a unique north side turret into his design. Over one million bricks were used in the construction, and the front portion of the building was covered with native sandstone.
An exhibit on the career of the architect Edmond J. Eckel is featured on the second floor of the Mansion. The exhibit focuses on his many contributions to the landscape of St. Joseph. All three floors of the Mansion are open to the public. The first floor features changing exhibits in the former library, a Victorian dining room, hand-painted ceilings, and walnut woodwork. Exhibits on the second and third floors explore historic preservation in St. Joseph, the life and career of Ruth Warrick, and the history and science of flooding on the Missouri River.
On the third Saturday of the month, beginning April 21, there will be a Coffee and Gingerbread program at the Mansion at 10 a.m. This year, topics in the series include: Stained Glass versus Art Glass Care and Repair; History on a Postcard; Restoring Hardware; Let there Be Lighting; Stripping Wood, Metal, & More; and Where to Find Cool Stuff.
The Wyeth-Tootle Mansion is located at 1100 Charles in St. Joseph. Admission is $6 for adults $5 for seniors, and $4 for students between the ages of 7 and 18. Children under six and Museum Members are admitted free of charge.
For additional information and scheduling of group tours or an event, please call (816) 232-8471 or visit stjosephmuseum.org.