Hackley House Museum
The Hackley House is truly a unique example of Victorian architecture and of late nineteenth century interior decorative arts. Built as a retirement residence, the house has an exotic feel, complete with Moorish arches, japonesque stenciling details, and majolica tiles. Woodcarvings found throughout the house depict symbolic human faces, animals, fanciful dragons and lions, and flowers. The carvings represent a mix of machine and hand carved works of art. Thirteen master carvers working for the Kelly Brothers Manufacturing Company in Muskegon produced the hand made pieces. Artisans at the Wells Glass Co. in Chicago created the 15 leaded glass windows found in the house. The beautifully carved mantles, made by Chicago's C.J.L. Meyer Co., frame delicate ceramic tile fireplace surrounds. Cut geometric, or encaustic, tiles laid in symmetrical designs, cover the vestibule and foyer floors.
The furnishings in the home area mixture of those typical of the era and original family pieces. We continue to search for additional original furnishings and appropriate reproductions.
The house has been structurally restored to its 1890 appearance based on photographic evidence. Nationally known artisans from Chicago and New York used original samples uncovered during restoration to bring the elaborate interior stenciling and the 13-color exterior paint scheme back to life. Wall-to-wall carpeting was reproduced based on photographic evidence.
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