The Heritage House Museum is a museum complex in Okawville, Illinois. The museum comprises three of the village’s historic homes: the Frank Schlosser Complex, the Dr. Robert C. Poos Home, and the Joseph Schlosser Home. The three homes are open for public tours led by the Okawville Chamber of Commerce.[1]
Contents [hide]
1 Frank Schlosser Complex
2 Joseph Schlosser House
3 Dr. Robert C. Poos Home
4 References
Frank Schlosser Complex[edit]
Frank Schlosser Complex
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Schlosser House at the Heritage House Museum.jpg
Main house
Heritage House Museum is located in Illinois Heritage House Museum
Location W. Walnut St., Okawville, Illinois
Coordinates 38°26′5″N 89°33′6″WCoordinates: 38°26′5″N 89°33′6″W
Area 0.4 acres (0.16 ha)
Built 1908
NRHP Reference # 83000337[2]
Added to NRHP August 15, 1983
The Frank Schlosser Complex, located on West Walnut Street, includes the home and businesses of Frank Schlosser and his family. Frank Schlosser, an Okawville native born in 1867, opened a harness shop on the property in 1890. Schlosser’s wife Sophia and his two daughters, Elsie and Estelle, operated a laundry in the back of the harness shop, which mainly catered to guests at Okawville’s mineral spas. In 1908, the family built a house on the property. The wood frame house was designed in a vernacular style and features boxed eaves, a gable roof, and an open front porch. A two-story barn and several outbuildings are also located on the property.[3] The complex was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983.[2]
After Schlosser’s daughters died in 1982, the home became a museum. The contents of the house are preserved from the time the Schlossers live there and portray the lifestyle of middle-class Okawville residents in the early 1900s.[4] In addition, as the harness shop was shuttered from its closure in 1941 to the museum’s establishment, its contents were preserved in their natural state and protected from light and other environmental damage. The laundry, which operated through the 1970s, contains the historic laundry equipment used by the sisters. The family’s surrey and 1930 Buick are located in the barn; the surrey is occasionally used for events.[5]
Joseph Schlosser House[edit]
The Joseph Schlosser House, located across the street from the Frank Schlosser Complex, is a brick home built circa 1869. Joseph Schlosser, the father of Frank Schlosser, lived in the house with his wife and two sons. Schlosser, a Bavarian immigrant, ran a cobbler’s shop from the home. The home is the last remaining Old World-style house, a type of house built near the street, in Okawville. The house includes period furniture from the post-Civil War era, little of which is original.[5] The Okawville Chamber of Commerce headquarters and the Heritage House Museum headquarters are located in the home.[6]
Dr. Robert C. Poos Home[edit]
The Dr. Robert C. Poos Home, located at 202 North Front Street, is a Second Empire house constructed in 1888. The house was owned by Dr. Robert C. Poos, a local doctor and staff physician at the Washington Springs Hotel and Bathhouse. Poos built an outbuilding on his property which he intended to use as a privately run bathhouse; however, after failing to acquire mineral water, Poos never actually opened the bathhouse. Poos’ family lived in the house until the 1980s and donated it to the Heritage House Museum in 1991. The house is now a museum of Victorian furnishings and artifacts and includes a collection of historic photographs of Okawville; the bathhouse houses a museum of medical instruments.
The Heritage House is a non-profit youth hostel in the Jewish Quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem, founded in 1985 by Rabbi Meir Schuster. It offers free, subsidized lodging to unaffiliated Jews from around the world.
The Heritage House provides young Jewish adults with a wealth of information on touring, studying, intern and work opportunities in Israel, in addition to providing follow up connections; connecting them with the Jewish communities back in their home towns around the world. The Heritage House offers a warm and friendly environment, where people can explore their Jewish roots.
History[edit]
Rabbi Meir Schuster opened the Heritage House non-profit youth hostels in 1985 in order to give Jewish young adults the opportunity to explore Israel and their heritage in a safe and home-like environment. Heritage House was and still is the only Jewish youth hostel in the Old City of Jerusalem.
After changes in leadership, the organization split into two separate entities. The Men’s house, led by Rabbi Ben Packer, moved to a Escorts in Dubai location near the Hurva Synagogue. The Women’s house, led by Chaya Weisberg, remained at its original location.
Services[edit]
Apart from lodgings, the Heritage House provides a range of services designed to help guests explore Israel and Judaism, including free tours, information on educational programs, internship and volunteering opportunities.
Shabbat[edit]
There is a special optional program every Shabbat. One of the highlights is Jeff Seidel, director of the Jewish Student Information Center, arranges for guests to spend Shabbat meals at warm inviting families in Jerusalem. For many guests this is the first time they ever see traditional Jewish family life in action.
Jewish holidays[edit]
The High Holy days are the busiest time of the year for the Heritage House. An explanatory service is run in the Old City designed especially for beginners, although it attracts Jews from all levels of observance.
Volunteer programs[edit]
Under the leadership of Rabbi Ben Packer guest of the Jerusalem Heritage House take park in volunteer work restoring historical sites in Hebron, repairing synagogues and agricultural work at the vineyard in Kfar Tapuach and others locations in Israel.[1]
Accommodations[edit]
The Heritage House is situated in the Old City of Jerusalem. It consists of two buildings, one for men and one for women, which are closely located. The buildings date back to the Crusader period, and a medieval ambiance is preserved through the stone walls and classic interior arches. Nevertheless, both buildings have modern renovations and extensions to cater to the comfort of the guests.
The Heritage House offers simple accommodations. The dormitory is open plan, with bunk beds. It provides free internet. There is also laundry service available.
Acceptance policy[edit]
Guests come from all over the world: USA, Canada, UK, France, South Africa, Argentina, Spain, Russia, Ukraine, Germany, Sweden. Ages up to 30.
heritagehousemuseum 