Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum

The Lockwood-Matthews Mansion Museum is located in Norwalk, Connecticut and was appointed a National Historic Landmark in 1971. It is considered one of the earliest and most significant country houses in the country designed in the Second Empire Style. The home was built by LeGrand Lockwood, a financier and was inhabited by him and his sister Florence Mathews. The home was constructed during the Civil War years and features Gilded Age interiors and furnishings and is a great example of Victorian Era style. The City of Norwalk purchased the home after Mathews' death to create a public park on the 20-acres surrounding the home. The city sold many of the furnishings in 1942 to house war offices and later the planning department and voting machines. The greenhouses were demolished during this time and the south end of the property condemned. A brick building was built on the site of the former greenhouse to serve as the town's police station, court house and jail, as well as the Department of Public Works garage. When the city decided to demolish the mansion in 1959, citizens revolted. After a lengthy process, the Common Interest Group took ownership of the mansion and efforts were put into action to turn the mansion into a museum, community center and national center for Victorian studies.