On a pleasant summer evening, residents of the Duneland area gathered for a significant event: the initiation of renovations at the historic Brown Mansion. This includes the revival of its majestic, wraparound porch. Around 70 people attended the groundbreaking ceremony in Chesterton on Thursday. The event marks the restoration of the Brown Mansion and the development of a new barn-like building, which will serve as the Duneland History Center. Previously known as the Westchester Township History Museum, this center will soon find a new home.
In attendance at the ceremony were members of the Westchester Public Library Board of Trustees. Heather Chaddock, the executive director of the Westchester Public Library, expressed her gratitude for the favorable weather following Monday’s severe storm. “It felt wildly optimistic to be making plans for this event with the wreckage of downed trees literally surrounding us,” she shared.
The Brown Mansion, constructed in 1885, stands as a notable example of Victorian architecture. This has secured its place on the National Register of Historic Places. Initially a family residence, the mansion later housed the offices for the Westchester School District and then Duneland Schools in 1963. The Westchester Public Library leased the property from Duneland Schools, eventually making it the home of the museum. In 2024, the library acquired full ownership of the building.
According to Chaddock, after extensive discussions, the plan is to restore the mansion and relocate all exhibits and offices to the new barn structure on the premises. This barn is designed to echo the original structure once located there. The project, led by Berglund Construction, has a budget of $6 million and aims to be operational by next spring or summer.
Justin Martinson, president of the Westchester Public Library Board of Trustees, recalled childhood visits to the Brown Mansion. His mother, Bridget Martinson, served as the public relations and marketing director for Duneland Schools and occasionally brought him there. He fondly remembers enjoying Cokes and popcorn in the basement while marveling at the elegant woodwork and stained glass in the third-floor ballroom.
Martinson feels the board has been responsible with the $6 million budget, having saved over the years. The new barn will enhance the display and preservation of artifacts. The Brown Mansion will feature modern facilities, compliant with Americans with Disabilities Act regulations, ensuring community-wide accessibility. “Visitors will be able to experience the history that I could only imagine,” Martinson noted.
Jeff Schroeder of Moake Park Group Inc., the project’s architect, described the mansion as “the grand old lady.” He stated that they are “bringing back her jewelry” to its Victorian splendor, despite lacking the original blueprints. Instead, they relied on old photographs to recreate elements like the porch and cupola. “We’re going to bring her back to her historical glory,” Schroeder affirmed.
Schroeder emphasized the unique nature of the site in Chesterton, which includes the nearby YMCA development at the former Middle School site, now 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,” he said.
Jane Walsh-Brown, proud attendee of the groundbreaking, was the first curator of the Westchester Township Museum when it was based in the Baugher Center’s basement. Now, the mansion will welcome the public, and Duneland’s historical artifacts will have a dedicated home. “I support the library board. This is just wonderful,” Walsh-Brown commented.
Jim Woods contributed as a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
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