Niles Chapin Museum open house
Posted: Apr 4, 2015 9:16 AM EDT | Updated: Apr 4, 2015 9:20 AM EDT
An open house held Saturday kicked off the 2015 tour season of the Historic Chapin Mansion in Niles.
The mansion was built back in 1882 by Henry and Ruby Chapin, who made their fortune in the iron ore industry in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.
The house was designed in the American Aesthetic style and is the only one like it in the area, according to experts.
This type of style features stained glass windows, interior wood carving, fireplaces, and chandeliers.
The house was sold to the city of Niles in the 1930's for only $300, but there was a catch.
There had to be an agreement that the house would always be used as a public building.
It served as Niles City Hall from the 1930's until 2012, before it became part of the Niles History Center Campus.
Beginning April 10th, guided tours will be held Fridays and Saturdays at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
Admission is $5 for anyone 10 and older.