Cuneo Mansion and Gardens

In 1937, John Cuneo Sr. bought the home. He and his wife, Julia, had two children, John Jr. and Consuela, whom they raised on the estate. John Sr. owned and operated Hawthorn Mellody Farms Dairy, the National Tea Company, and the Cuneo Press. The mansion, which opened to the public as the Cuneo Museum and Gardens in 1991, houses the Cuneo family collection of fine antiques, paintings by world-famous artists, tapestries, sculptures, silver, and porcelain.

In 2009, the Cuneo Foundation, the family foundation of John Cuneo Jr. and his wife, Herta, gave the 100-acre estate to Loyola University Chicago. The $50 million gift, the largest in Loyola’s history, included the museum’s extensive collection of art and furnishings.

Following a renovation, which is currently underway, Loyola plans to increase use of the mansion for weddings, other special occasions, and corporate events. In addition, the University will offer educational opportunities there to benefit students, faculty, and the greater Chicago-area community, especially those living in and around Lake County. Academic plans being considered include fine arts performances, lectures and classes, artist-in-residence programs, special events programming, and sustainability initiatives.