The largest governor’s mansion in the United States needed an update, so MK Pritzker, first lady of Illinois, enlisted interior designer Michael S. Smith to help her take the challenge.
Pritzker wrote about that update, as well as all of the restorations of the mansion over the. years by governors and their wives in her new book, “A House That Made History: The Illinois Governor’s Mansion: Legacy of an Architectural Treasure.”
Pritzker will talk about the restoration and her new book at 1:15 p.m. Sept. 29 at the Nineteenth Century Charitable Association, 178 Forest Ave., Oak Park. Tickets are $62 for the lecture and a noon lunch; $31 for the lecture only. For reservations, call 708-386-2729 or visit ncca.memberclicks.net.
Gert Johnson, co-chair of the association’s development committee, had found a copy of the book at the Oak Park Public Library and was captivated by it.
“I was amazed at it. I found it so beautiful,” she recalled. She recommended that they invite Pritzker to talk about the book. Pritzker’s lecture was chosen as a prelude to the 2025-26 Monday Afternoon Education Series, which begins in October.
“We have a very eager group of people who are interested in knowing new things that are going on and what’s happening,” Johnson said.
When she announced this program at a previous event, there was a huge response. They were “gobsmacked,” Johnson said.
Participants will have a chance to ask questions after the lecture.
Pritzker, who was unavailable for an interview but agreed to answer questions via email, said she considers the Governor’s Mansion an architectural treasure because it was designed by John Mills Van Osdel, who helped rebuild Chicago after the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. Van Osdel designed the mansion “to be a beautiful example of Italianate architecture with Greek revival interiors,” Pritzker said.
The first lady noted that her predecessor, Diana Rauner, had remodeled the grounds and the physical building. Pritzker’s goal was to work on furnishings and decorations. “I wanted to create a home where my husband could welcome guests, visitors, and Illinois residents from all over the state,” she explained.
The governor gave his wife input on the changes. “He wanted it to be a warm and welcoming environment, and to represent the best of Illinois,” Pritzker said.
The work included restoring an original spiral staircase, adding a ballroom on the back of the mansion, moving the private apartments for the family to the top floor, and stripping the mansion back to its original brick façade. Wall coverings and paint were changed to add more warmth to the interior.
The project took three years. Pritzker indicated it was difficult to stick to a timeline because they were working during the pandemic.
She praised the assistance provided by Smith, the interior designer, who had previously worked on the White House. “He provided great counsel during the entire design process and I am grateful for his time and dedication to this project,” Pritzker said.
Pritzker decided to write about the project, she said, because during the process she learned a lot about the previous occupants of the mansion. “I was inspired to share their history and their stories, as well as the events that have taken place here over the years,” she said. The writing process took two years.
Myrna Petlicki is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.