Places to Go-Mayslake Peabody Estate

Note: Mayslake Hall will close for up to a year beginning May 31, 2022 for a major exterior improvement project. The surrounding forest preserve and off-leash dog area will remain open. First Folio Theatre will have a 2022-23 season at the estate built around the construction schedule.

Mayslake Peabody Estate at Mayslake Forest Preserve in Oak Brook is a thriving community space for people to connect to nature and one another through art, culture and history. Visitors can experience the grandeur of Mayslake Hall at one of several art, history and cultural programs offered throughout the year.

Mayslake Hall

In 1919 Francis Stuyvesant Peabody commissioned renowned Chicago architect Benjamin Marshall to design the Tudor Revival-style mansion known today as Mayslake Hall. The style reaches back to England’s Tudor period as a revival of the timber-frame buildings popular at that time.

After his death in 1922 Peabody’s family sold the 840-acre estate to the Franciscan Province of the Sacred Heart, order of Friars Minor, in 1926. The hall became a retreat house, and the order sold sections of the estate over time. The last 89 acres including Mayslake Hall and the Portiuncula Chapel was sold to the Forest Preserve District in 1993.

Today, the Forest Preserve District is working to restore Mayslake Hall, now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The hall currently serves as a venue for architectural tours, lectures, nature related art classes and performances throughout the year.

Sections of the hall are available to host an event.

Portiuncula Chapel

The Portiuncula Chapel is a replica of the original in Assisi, Italy, which is named for the “little portion” of land where St. Francis of Assisi received his call to serve the poor. The front features a colorful stone mosaic.

After Peabody’s death, his family commissioned the Franciscans to build the chapel as a memorial to the late industrialist in 1926. The order moved the chapel to its current location in 1973.

The chapel is available to host an event, including weddings, baptisms, memorial services and other special ceremonies.

Photography

Commercial and portrait photography in DuPage forest preserves requires a valid still portrait photography permit in the photographer's possession. Please see the photography page or call Visitor Services at 630-933-7247 for more information.

Driving Directions

The main entrance is at 1717 West 31st Street in Oak Brook.

Nature Art & Culture

Mayslake Peabody Estate hosts nature-inspired art classes and exhibits, lectures about architecture, culture and history, and concerts by jazz and classical musicians. First Folio Theatre performs outdoors in the summer and indoors over other seasons.

Drumming Circle
Encourage spring’s arrival in a new way: by drumming in the warmer weather in Mayslake Hall’s beautiful historic library. Bring your own drum, or borrow one of our homemade percussion instruments. No experience necessary. Ages 12 and up; under 18 with an adult. $5 per person. Register online or at 630-206-9566.

April 25	6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
May 23	6:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Story Walk: Daniel Finds a Poem
The lushly illustrated pages of Daniel Finds a Poem by Micha Archer come to life on large displays along a half-mile path that encourages children and their families to explore their surroundings and their inspirations. As you follow the story, you’ll discover that nature and poetry are all around if you take the time to look and listen. The story walk begins at off-leash dog area parking lot. All ages. Free. No registration. Questions? Call 630-206-9566.

April 1 – June 30

One hour after sunrise – one hour after sunset

Restoration

Restoration-in-Progress Tours
Learn about the past and future of this historic 1920s Tudor Revival-style mansion at these 45- to 60-minute tours. All ages; under 18 with an adult. $8 per person. No reservations but for groups of eight or more. Questions? Call 630-206-9566.