Wedding Cake House

The Wedding Cake House is a three-story Italianate mansion featuring ornate architectural details across its exterior. The building includes a two-story tower and a distinctive pagoda-style cupola, creating an elaborate white facade with multiple decorative elements.

The house was built in 1867 for a textile manufacturer and received technical upgrades under later ownership. A railroad executive who acquired the property added an elevator, a modern feature for homes of that era.

Two sisters operated a dressmaking business here from 1915 to 1947, employing immigrant women from southern Italy and serving the city's wealthy families. The house became a gathering place where skilled craftspeople created custom garments.

The property is currently managed by an art collective working on new programs and uses. Visitors should check ahead about current activities and access, as the project's focus evolves regularly.

Workers discovered hundreds of untouched dressmaking materials hidden in the house during 1989 repairs, later displayed in a museum exhibition. This find revealed how the owners left their work behind, preserving a snapshot of their daily operations.

GPS coordinates: 41.81820,-71.43538

Latest update: December 12, 2025 09:06