THE FOLLOWING IS A NEWS-GAZETTE ARTICLE BY JENNIFER BAILEY
ABOVE: Retired Danville area teachers attended a luncheon in 2022 at the Hegeler Mansion hosted by the Danville High School Future Problem Solvers group.
DANVILLE — Tributes and impacts continue throughout the community, such as during events at the Fischer Theatre, in Danville Area Community College and OSF hallways, and in the sky with Balloons Over Vermilion, through the philanthropic efforts of Julius W. Hegeler II.
The mansion that Hegeler, who died in 2019, and his family owned at 1521 N. Vermilion St., Danville, also continues to be a point of fascination among those interested in the historic landmark.
Lois Wise, who was Hegeler’s companion and is secretary/treasurer of the Julius W. Hegeler II Foundation, said she wonders why, and she doesn’t quite understand the fascination with the mansion, because she’s been inside of it so many times.
Many others, however, have only seen the outside of the stately house.
There had been rumors of the mansion offering more regular, formal tours.
But Wise said, “They can do that anytime,” of the public and groups wanting to tour the mansion.
“We want to have tours,” she said.
They’d love to see “a bunch” of people learn more about Hegeler’s local impact and the history of the home.
There remains a caretaker at the house, Phyllis Rice, and “two gentlemen to keep the place up,” Wise said.
Wise said it remains the foundation’s mission to award grants to worthy causes in the community.
It’s been almost 10 years since the Hegeler mansion was open to the public as part of the Danville Area Tour of Homes.
It also was in 2022 when the Hegeler Mansion was trying out events there, and the Danville High School Future Problem Solvers hosted a Retired Teachers Association luncheon for Vermilion County teachers in the mansion.
In the past, Hegeler would share stories about growing up in “the big house” and restoring its 15,000 square feet.
Hegeler’s grandfather, Julius W. Hegeler, moved to Danville in 1905. He and his brother, Herman, established Hegeler Brothers Co., later Hegeler Zinc Co.
Hegeler was born to Edward C. Hegeler II and Madelle Hegeler on May 9, 1928.
Their home was built in 1911 for A.L. Webster, a wholesale grocer. Hegeler’s father purchased the property in 1927.
Built in the neoclassical style, the house features a large two-story foyer and walnut staircase, a parlor, study, music room, dining room, butler’s pantry, kitchen and three enclosed porches downstairs; five bedrooms and a maid’s suite that was converted to an apartment upstairs; a 2,000-square-foot ballroom on the third floor; and a finished basement.
Back in the day, Bobby Short, then a Garfield School student who went on to become a famous cabaret singer and pianist, entertained guests on the baby grand piano.
For more information about tours, call 217-442-1521.
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