Edwardsville, IL (KMOX) - The Edwardsville School District inherited a home that dates back to the late 1800's. Now the district has to figure out how to restore it.
For decades the Hadley House has been the district's administrative building -- and a landmark in the Metro East town's historic district. But time and daily use have taken a toll on this grand mansion
Listen for more on Edwardsville's Hadley House
"It's never been rennovated, really,", explains Edwardsville School Superintendent, Dr. Patrick Shelton.
The 15-room mansion was built in 1875 by the Hadley family, prominent in banking and law. It was gifted to the Edwardsville School District in 1953, and was used a school for a while, until it was ultimately converted to office use for district administration. "What we've learned is that houses aren't built to be used as offices. There's some weight that needs to come out of the building." One wing of the home sits on jacks for support. You can feel the room slope where the foundation has settled.
On the outside, the 10,000 square foot home features turrets and spires, and a massive wrap around porch.
On the inside, original wood paneling and molding, a split staircase, and a back staircase near where the kitchen used to be. Plus many original windows, some even curved.
There's been water damage over the years that needs to be repaired. The plaster is cracking in some places. And Dr. Shelton points out, there's a massive space above it all, that hasn't been utilized in years -- prior to a fire in the early 1900's the third floor was a ballroom with 15-foot ceilings.
When it comes to bringing back it's grandeur and repurposing it's many stately rooms, it will be a balancing act. The Hadley House is prominent among multi-million-dollar mansions along Edwardsville's tree-lined St. Louis Street. "Where it sits on St. Louis street is the opening to the historic district of Edwardsville. I know folks in the neighborhood have a vested interest in the property."
Yet as a school district, the district's mission is educating kids. "It's going to be more expensive to fix than a regular school building. Our board has asked us to look at other funding sources," says Shelton.
Sheltons says estimates put restoration somewhere in the $3 million range - original estimates for lead and asbestos abatement alone are a half million dollars.
Shelton anticipates the house will be completely empty by fall, then structural engineers want it to sit empty for a time.
Dr. Shelton says district officials hope to determine solutions and be back in Hadley House, in some form, in a few years. One thought is to use the main home for programming, instead of using it entirely for office space.
@2025 Audacy St. Louis (KMOX). All rights reserved.