Family Photos at the Haish Mansion

Parker comparing photos in the album to images of the Haish mansion in the book "From Oxen to Jets"

David James Parker, of Wisconsin, shared some wonderful photos from summer 1954. He shared: "My grandparents, the Spickermans, lived in the Haish Mansion briefly. They rented the beautiful home sometime after selling their previous house on Augusta Avenue and completing their new one on Linden Place in about 1954." What a wonderful moment in time, captured and now here for us to enjoy! Click photos to enlarge.

Jacob Haish's housekeeper, Anna Anderson, had been the owner of the home after Jacob until her death in 1953. There were temporary residents, such as the Spickermans, until the Haish trust put the mansion on the market in 1955. You can learn more about the Haish mansion's history here.

Caption from Parker: (L to R)
(leaning on my stroller)- Grandma Maryette Wallace Spickerman,
(seated on gargoyle) - Richard Weisheit, Shirley Spickerman Weisheit, Mom MaryLou Spickerman Parker, Oscar George “Jack” Weisheit, Jon Weisheit, and
(seated, looking back) - David James Parker (me)

Haish home far shot. Car belongs to J. A. “Art” Spickerman.

(L to R)
David & MaryLou Parker, Shirley, Jack and Richard Weisheit, Maryette Spickerman, Jon Weisheit

(L to R)
Shirley Weisheit, (seated on gargoyle) David Parker and Richard Weisheit, Maryette Spickerman, Jon Weisheit, MaryLou Parker, O.G. “Jack” Weisheit

On May 13, 1954, the Daily Chronicle shared a story about the Spickermans sharing the Haish home with the public, and how "women of this city who have had their curiosity aroused by the unique exterior of the building were glad of the opportunity to give coins of silver in return for a guided tour of the premises. Six fireplaces, floor to ceiling mirrors, murals, beautiful chandeliers, etched glass doors, painted windows, wood carvings and unusual hardware were some of the features exciting the admiration of the guests."

The monetary donations collected that day were to support the fund of the Congregational church in DeKalb.

After doing a little digging, I found this photo from the event: Printed in the May 27, 1954, Daily Chronicle, in which the Spickerman family was hosting the "reception committee for Group Two of the Congregational church, before conducting tours during a Silver Tea, was held in the upstairs sitting room at the Jacob Haish home, now occupied by Dr. and Mrs. J.A. Spickerman." Dr. Spickerman was a dentist.