Bass Mansion (15)
The restoration of the historic Bass Mansion at the University of St. Francis is pretty much complete.
John Henry Bass, a key force in the growth of 19th century Fort Wayne, built Brookside as the centerpiece of his country estate on what is now Spring Street. After fire destroyed the first home, he rebuilt Brookside in 1903 as a steel-framed, sandstone-encased house. The founder of Bass Foundry decorated the mansion with intricate woodwork, fine artwork, valuable antiques and elegant furnishings.
The Sisters of Saint Francis of Perpetual Adoration bought the home and 65 acres south of Spring Street from the Bass family in 1944. They moved what was then Saint Francis College from Layfayette, Indiana to Fort Wayne. The mansion served as the college library until the university opened the Lee and Jim Vann Library in August 2006.
Bass Mansion (15)
The restoration of the historic Bass Mansion at the University of St. Francis is pretty much complete.
John Henry Bass, a key force in the growth of 19th century Fort Wayne, built Brookside as the centerpiece of his country estate on what is now Spring Street. After fire destroyed the first home, he rebuilt Brookside in 1903 as a steel-framed, sandstone-encased house. The founder of Bass Foundry decorated the mansion with intricate woodwork, fine artwork, valuable antiques and elegant furnishings.
The Sisters of Saint Francis of Perpetual Adoration bought the home and 65 acres south of Spring Street from the Bass family in 1944. They moved what was then Saint Francis College from Layfayette, Indiana to Fort Wayne. The mansion served as the college library until the university opened the Lee and Jim Vann Library in August 2006.