Cuneo Mansion and Museum recently opened a new banquet facility in Vernon Hills, in the Northwest suburbs of Chicago, Illinois. Cuneo Mansion is a pink Italianate style building surrounded by gardens, ponds, statues and trees.
The mansion was built for Samuel Insull in 1918. The Cuneo family acquired the property in 1937 and the family occupied the mansion for many years. The mansion was opened to the public in 1991 for special events and tours. In 2009, the family foundation for John Cuneo Jr. gave the 100 acre property to Loyola University Chicago. The $50 million gift was the largest gift to Loyola in its history, and included the museum’s extensive collection of artwork and furnishings. Cuneo Mansion and Gardens in the Chicago Area
Cuneo is well known for its Christmas light show, with acres of the property filled with lights, cartoon characters and holiday figures. The light show starts on Thanksgiving weekend and runs through New Year’s Day. The museum charges a fee to drive the route and see the delightful light show. The drive through light show offers delightful holiday entertainment for the family. The kids can enjoy the Christmas light show without ever having to leave the warmth of the car.
Tours of the mansion are offered throughout the year, but there are special tours during the holiday season. The Christmas Tree, in the great hall, reaches up to the second level of the building. The mansion is decorated with garlands and lights, offering a festive setting for a holiday party.
The new banquet room is located in a new section, which coordinates with the architecture of the mansion. The room seats over 300 people for weddings, parties and banquets. There are crystal chandeliers on the ceiling of the spacious room, with windows overlooking the gardens. During the summer months the gardens are manicured and filled with flowers.
The mansion garden was featured in the movie “My Best Friend’s Wedding,” starring Julia Roberts. The mansion was also the venue for one of the weddings featured in the TLC series “Four Weddings.” TLC Features Brides and Weddings.
Guests of banquets are allowed to tour the antique filled mansion during selected hours, so they can take a memorable self-guided tour of the mansion, making the party an extra memorable event.
Cuneo has an elevator for wheelchairs,between the first floor and the banquet room, so the facility is handicapped accessible.
Cuneo Mansion is located at 1350 N. Milwaukee Avenue (Route 21 and Route 60) in Vernon Hills, in the northwest suburbs of Chicago, Illinois.