MAGNIFICENT MANSIONS OF THE PAST - PHASE II

On January 28 and 29, 2006, between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., the Ottawa Scouting Museum, 1100 Canal Street, Ottawa, Illinois, will host an open house for its latest temporary exhibit, AMagnificent Mansions of the Past - Phase II". Everyone is invited to attend this event, free of charge for these two days, refreshments will be served.

The focus of this Phase II exhibit will be on old mansions that were located in South Ottawa. Included in Phase II will be the home of Cora J. Pope, which was bequeathed by Mrs. Pope as a residence for ladies. The magnificent home proudly stands on the bluff on the south side of the Illinois River, a well-known site for everyone in the area. Utilizing information provided by the Cora J. Pope Home, photos of the construction of the home, Cora and her husband, Milton Pope (for whom Milton Pope School north of Ottawa is named), and other information relating to this home will be featured.

The home of J. E. Porter, noted manufacturer of farm equipment and, later, playground equipment, will also be included in this exhibit. Mr. Porter was married to Margaret Hossack, daughter of John Hossack, and their family conducted business in our city for many years. Many of our citizens were employed by that firm. Photos of the home, located on Prospect Avenue, will be featured, along with information about the family and the factory. A few items manufactured by the firm will also be on display.

No exhibit of south side mansions would be complete without information relating to the home of John Hossack. A large amount of information has been gathered regarding this home, and has been included in this exhibit. Mr. Hossack lead an interesting life, and some of it is retold here.

Dr. E. W. Weis, married to Florence Nash (daughter of John Nash whose beautiful home on the west side of Ottawa will be featured in a later exhibit), was also located on the south side, and this home is also included in the exhibit. Other homes included will be those of George Trimble, Lester Strawn, William Sanders, C. D. DeLapp and others.

This exhibit will feature photos of these old home, including a few rare interior shots. In addition to viewing the photos, visitors will be able to learn about the people who built/lived in these homes, and their Aplace@ was in the scheme of things in Ottawa in the 1800 and early 1900s. The visitor will discover many things about the history of Ottawa that they may not have known. For example - do you know what prominent 19th century Ottawan was one of the organizers and a member of the board of directors of Inland Steel? If not, or even if you do, come see this exhibit and find out!

Persons interested in viewing the current exhibit, Magnificent Mansions of the Past, Phase I (which features home on the north bluff) will need to do so no later than January 21, 2006. This exhibit will be removed on Sunday, January 22, 2006, to make way for this new exhibit.

Questions may be directed to Executive Director, Mollie Perrot, at the museum, 815/431-9353, or scouter07@hotmail.com