Date:
Location: 348 Mentor Ave., Painesville, OH 44077 , United States
This in-person event is open to the public. Organized by the Western Reserve Architectural Historians, a chapter of SAH.
Sunday, November 2| 1:30pm ET
Description: The Steele Mansion was built in 1867 for George W. Steele and was described in a newspaper as the “grandest home in Painesville.” The French Second Empire home featured a third-floor ballroom, seven Italian marble fireplaces, windows imported from France, three bathrooms with running water, as well as ornate walnut doors, stairs, and trim. After decades of private ownership, Lake Erie College purchased the property in 1921. The College initially used it as the President’s home, then, as student housing and administrative offices. The third floor ballroom served as the gymnasium. In the 1980s, Steele Mansion was sold to a private owner and converted into an apartment building. A fire in 2001 destroyed the entire third floor and damaged the lower floors. When the Shamakian family purchased the building in 2010, rescuing it from demolition, very little of the original structure still stood except for the brick walls and the grand walnut staircase.
Meticulously restored and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Steele Mansion has come back to life as a historic inn and meeting center. Carol Shamakian will tell the fascinating 150+ year story of Steele Mansion, then, lead a narrated tour of the entire building. If there is time and interest, the 1917 home next door that is currently being renovated, will also be visited. Upon arrival at 1:30 PM, a complimentary assortment of veggies, cheeses, fruit and crackers will be a served (cash bar available). The program will begin at 2:00 PM.
WRAH members free. Guests guests $10 (cash or check payable to WRAH at door).
Accessibility: All of Steele Mansion is wheelchair accessible. The elevator reaches all four building levels. A wheelchair ramp is at the rear of the Mansion. The level parking lot directly abuts the building. Parking: Complimentary free onsite self-parking.
RSVP reservations to Steve Kish at 440.382.7454 or email stevekish74@aol.com by Saturday, October 25.
