Image of the manor with overlay of line art

About Our Name

Indian Hill Manor, a “gentleman’s farm” built by Charles Cook Barrett and his wife Esta in 1917, served as a country retreat from big city life popular among wealthy families in the 1900s. However, Charles and Esta enjoyed the property together for a relatively short period of time. Charles died in October of 1918. After his death, Esta purchased the manor and farm from Charles’ estate (as she and his two brothers were all beneficiaries named in the will and assets needed to be divided).

In 2024, Indian Hill Manor was renamed Esta Barrett Manor & Gardens. The new name  acknowledges the role Charles Barrett played in the development of the property; celebrates the sustainable landscape design of O.C. Simonds; and shares the remarkable story of Esta who lived in, entertained on, and enjoyed the property as her home until her death in 1947.

View the full history of Esta Barrett Manor and Gardens.

Portrait of Charles Barrett

The Property

Esta Barrett Manor & Gardens stands majestically above the Kishwaukee and Rock rivers and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Image of the front of the manor

The Manor

Designed by noted architect Charles W. Bradley, the manor is an example of early Colonial Revival architecture and includes many of the modern conveniences of the day. A built-in vacuum cleaner system, intercom, electric stove, and commercial gas dryer for laundry were all features of the 1918 house.

Sunken Garden with grass paths, low geometric hedges, and new sprouts in black dirt.

The Gardens

The backdrop for countless soirees and social events, the landscape was conceived by nationally renowned landscape architect, O. C. Simonds, who designed the grounds and gardens in the naturalistic style, using native plants and an artistic eye to orchestrate the outdoor setting.

The landscape design integrated the buildings into the natural surroundings, enhanced the views of the river and woods, and emphasized the use of native trees and shrubs instead of the showy flowers and exotic plants popular in formal Victorian gardens at the turn of the century.

A formal sunken garden, with a fountain, pergola, and trellises, was an extension of the home, providing relief from the summer heat and a lovely place for Esta to grow and nurture her favorite flowers.

Image of the farm on a sunny day

The Farm

The property includes a 160-acre historic farm which Esta Barrett ran as a true working farm for 29 years. The modern James Way dairy barn, chicken coop, and innovations in ventilation and sanitary procedures made the farm a cutting-edge model.

Line art of flowers
Line art of flowers

About Esta Barrett Manor & Gardens, Inc.

William and Lucile Smeja purchased the property in 1971 and began the process of restoring the manor which had been left unchanged since Esta died in 1947. Their passion and legacy to preserve the property continued when, in 2001, their children formed a nonprofit foundation to promote historic preservation and land conservation in the Kishwaukee community. Today, the core program of Esta Barrett Manor & Gardens, Inc. is the maintenance, restoration, and interpretation of Esta Barrett Manor and Gardens.

Esta Barrett Manor & Gardens, Inc. Board & Staff

Gerald Paulson
Board President

Susan Barnes
Board Treasurer/Secretary

David Byrnes
Board Member

Robert Grese
Board Member

Brian Reis
Executive Director

Jack Kozuszko
Caretaker

 

Nathan Hill
Historic Landscape Gardener

Preservation Efforts

The first task at Esta Barrett Manor & Gardens was to begin plans for the restoration of the manor and garage complex and to develop programs for the use of the buildings and grounds. Next, purchasing the farm portion of the estate began an intensive effort to stabilize and restore the barns and other buildings.

There are current preservation initiatives to restore the grounds and gardens to their former splendor, bringing O.C. Simonds’ vision back for all to enjoy.

Learn more about how you can support historic preservation.

Line art of a butterfly

Interested in Historic Preservation?

Read more about the efforts and insights that guide our process.