Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration bought the home and 65 acres, then relocated their college to the spot. On 1889, John Bass employed architects Wing and Martin to build a Romanesque summer home. A gas fire explosion burned and destroyed most of the home in 1902, but the place was rebuilt in 1903. Stone, steel and concrete have enabled the home to remain much the same to this day, after some restoration in 2009-2010.
The mansion now serves as administrative offices most of the calendar year. But every December, the home is opened for the public for five days or so, four hours at a time.
Professional decorators compete by dressing up the home for the Christmas holidays. Eighteen trees were trimmed with ornaments and tinsel in 2016, and strategically placed in rooms around the house. Winding staircases allow for tours on all three floors. Antiques, ancient tapestries, expensive sculptures and paintings, and stunning granite firplaces charm and entrance visitors.
The old home is topped with a starlit ballroom on the third floor, windows giving sweeping views of the heavens. This mansion, located at 2701 Spring Street, has been wonderfully maintained and promises delightful surprises around every corner. I was particularly stunned by the numerous large murals in many of the rooms.
Fort Wayne certainly has some fascinating history. This particular house jewel nestles discreetly on the edge of a well respected institution of higher learning. I hope future generations will continue to value and invest in it, and work to continue to preserve it.
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