Haskell Playhouse

Alton's Haskell Playhouse is the only remaining portion of the properties of the Old Haskell House and was built sometime in 1885. The building's design is attributed to Lucas Pfeiffenberger and the structure has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1974.. The playhouse exhibits elements of the height of the Queen Anne period and was dedicated to Lucy Haskell, who would die only years later from ‘Black’ diphtheria.

Built in 1885, the decorative elements of the height of the Queen Anne period of design have been artistically and liberally applied to a child’s garden playhouse, thus creating as much a park sculpture as any urban furniture open space art form. The fact that few small accessory structures from the past remain among us adds to its importance. Although Lucy Haskell’s playhouse would be more at home in the garden of the Carson mansion in Eureka California, nevertheless it was constructed in Alton Illinois at the rear of Old Haskell House (c. 1868; razed 1914). It has been attributed to Lucas Pfeiffenberger, well known Alton and St. Louis architect, although other structures he designed around this period such as the Watson mansion on Alby St., the Job-Drummond mansion on E. 12^th and the Rodgers mansion (now razed) show much more conservatism in interpreting the Queen Anne Style. However, Pfeiffengerger may have felt, that on this tiny structure in Dr. Haskell’s garden, he could express himself and the Queen Anne style totally in all the complexities and varieties of cartwheels, brackets, and iron spires.

The playhouse consisted of a single room measuring fourteen by sixteen feet. There is a large front porch and a small back porch on the south side of the house. Inside there is a large wall cabinet with glass doors for the placing of dolls and toys on the shelves. The house also has stained glass windows and ornamental iron work on the roof, plus gingerbread (carpenter’s lace) woodwork around the windows and porches.

The playhouse was a gift for Lucy on her fifth birthday, July 29, 1885. The next day the Alton Telegraph reported: “Mrs. Haskell gave a lawn party in honor of Lucy’s birthday and the children had a delightful time romping, playing, and riding a pony, and were fascinated with the beautiful playhouse and all its attractions.”

Unfortunately, Lucy Jane Haskell died March 27, 1890, at the age of nine of ‘Black diphtheria just four years after the playhouse was built. Following the death of Florence Hayner Haskell in 1932, the City of Alton learned she had bequeathed the large house, the playhouse, and 6.4 acres of ground to the city, to be used as a playground and facility for children. The playhouse is to be retained forever in memory of Lucy Jane Haskell.

(The Haskell Playhouse, located in Alton, and is the only remaining portion of the properties of the Old Haskell House, was built sometime in 1885 and is attributed to Lucas Pfeiffenberger. The playhouse exhibits elements of the height of the Queen Anne period and was dedicated to Lucy Haskell, who would die only years later from ‘Black’ diphtheria.)

Researched and Written by Madelyn Knight

Uploaded on behalf of the Madison County Historical Society by Kiley Fuchs

http://hpa.illinois.gov/PDFs/200812.pdf ; https://haskellplayhouse.org/ ; https://www.thetelegraph.com/news/article/Little-girl-s-legacy-continues-at-her-own-16147631.php