Izabela Pieniadz is overseeing a busy schedule of events and significant restoration work at the Ellwood House mansion as she gets ready to celebrate one year as Executive Director. Pieniadz came to the museum from the Art Institute of Chicago. A graduate of the School of the Art Institute, she holds a Master’s degree in Arts Administration and is completing a Master’s degree in Historic Preservation. Her goal is to continue to grow event outreach and administer a $1.3 million capital campaign fund raised from 2018-2021 to help preserve the Ellwood mansion built in 1879 by barbed wire baron Isaac Ellwood.
Pieniadz said attendance at the museum campus is strong. Almost 2,500 people visited the mansion over the past year. They hosted 183 tours along with hosting special events. Their venues include the 1879 Ellwood House and the neighboring Nehring-Ellwood mansion built at the turn of the 20th century. Pieniadz said their programs include the Arts Action series featuring local artisans, a Local Lore series highlighting local history, Evening at the Ellcourt which features live music, and their major fundraiser, Wine on the Terrace. Another highlight is the annual mansion Christmas decoration exhibit which will open soon.
Managing through increasing material costs has been a challenge according to Pieniadz but progress is being made at stabilizing and restoring the Ellwood House mansion. She said their “1879 Project” is divided into seven parts of specific improvements. Currently they have undertaken repair and restoration of windows, installing ultra-violet light protection on windows, and stabilizing steel doors going into the mansion’s living room. Select masonry repairs were done that included matching tuckpointing to original coloring from the mansion’s original construction. There have also been significant electrical upgrades by replacing outdated knob and tube wiring. Pieniadz said they opted to run new wiring by taking up flooring rather than going through walls that might not be able to be restored properly.
Pieniadz said the Ellwood House Museum is always looking for new members and volunteers. Their website is www.Ellwoodhouse.org.