Lake Geneva philanthropist, Chicago businessman Richard Driehaus remembered
STEPHANIE JONES and DENNIS HINES Lake Geneva Regional News
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Richard Driehaus died at 78 on March 9. The Chicago businessman who owned the Driehaus Estate in Lake Geneva earning the fortune he made and he knew how to enjoy it by celebrating extravagantly, preserving history and giving back to the community.
Submitted by Driehaus Capital Management
Richard Driehaus rides an elephant during his elaborate birthday party in 2007 in Lake Geneva. That year the theme of the party was Driehaus Circus.
Driehaus family collection
A view of a Richard Driehaus’ mansion, Glanworth Gardens, along the Shore Path, between Lake Geneva and Williams Bay. This home has a “Yellow Brick Road” for walkers to follow.
Elizabeth Snyder, Lee Newspapers
Richard Driehaus’ love and dedication to historical architecture won him the 2015 American Institute of Architects Lifetime Achievement Award. He has been recognized for his preservation of Chicago’s 1886 Ransom Cable House, which houses his financial company.
Allen Bourgeois, Courtesy of Driehaus
Driehaus’ love of architecture went beyond the Lake Geneva mansion. He established the Driehaus Museum to preserve art and architecture of the 19th Century inside the 1887-built Samuel M. Nickerson Mansion.
Driehaus Museum collection
A look at the exterior of the Driehaus Museum, which is inside the preserved 1887 Samuel M. Nickerson Mansion.
In photos: A look back at Driehaus' last big Lake Geneva birthday bash
Diana Ross
Diana Ross performed at Richard Driehaus’ 77th birthday bash in Lake Geneva in 2019.
Submitted photo, Regional News
Floating poker chips
There were floating poker chips in the pond at Richard Driehaus' 77th birthday bash in 2019.
Submitted photo, Regional News
Vintage car
Vintage cars from the 007 James Bond movies could be seen throughout Richard Driehaus' property for his 77th birthday bash.
Submitted photo, Regional News
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Acrobats serving champagne
Richard Driehaus’ 77th birthday included an acrobat serving champagne upside down.
Submitted photo, Regional News
Glanworth Gardens
Glanworth Gardens, the Driehaus estate, is lit up for Richard Driehaus’ 77th birthday in 2019.
Submitted photo, Regional News
Richard Driehaus
Driehaus
Submitted photo, Regional News
IN PHOTOS: A walk with a view on the Lake Geneva Shore Path
Lake Geneva path and Alta Vista mansion.jpg
The historic Alta Vista mansion, from 1919, as seen from the Shore Path on Geneva Lake.
Kenosha News Photo by Elizabeth Snyder
Lake Geneva path directions sign.jpg
A colorful sign on the Gage Marine Pier outside of Williams Bay.
Kenosha News Photo by Elizabeth Snyder
Lake Geneva path Falling Water house.jpg
We call this home “Fallingwater, Lake Geneva Edition,” for how it resembles Frank Lloyd Wright’s famous Fallingwater Estate in Pennsylvania. The owner walked outside when we were passing by, however, and joked that he calls it “the giant mortgage house.”
Kenosha News Photo by Elizabeth Snyder
Lake Geneva path Fontana pier.jpg
Fontana's Municipal Pier, about a 9-mile walk from downtown Lake Geneva.
Kenosha News Photo by Elizabeth Snyder
Lake Geneva path no bikes sign.jpg
In case you forget, signs along the Shore Path lay out the rules (including no bikes).
Kenosha News Photo by Elizabeth Snyder
Lake Geneva path on the water.jpg
You can't get lost on the Geneva Lake Shore Path, as long as you keep sight of the water.
Kenosha News Photo by Elizabeth Snyder
Lake Geneva path piers.jpg
During late fall, you’ll dodge piers along the Shore Path.
Kenosha News Photo by Elizabeth Snyder
Lake Geneva path tour boat.jpg
The Walworth II (known as “the mail boat”) was pulled out of the water on Nov. 7, while walkers strolled past on the Shore Path between Williams Bay and Fontana.
Kenosha News Photo by Elizabeth Snyder
Lake Geneva path wild area.jpg
On the way to Fontana, the Shore Path takes on a wild look through the woods.
Kenosha News Photo by Elizabeth Snyder
Lake Geneva path and boat.jpg
A tour boat is seen through trees along the Shore Path on Geneva Lake.
Kenosha News Photo by Elizabeth Snyder
Lake Geneva path and boats.jpg
Lake Geneva path and mansion
A view of a Richard Driehaus’ mansion, Glanworth Gardens, along the Shore Path, between Lake Geneva and Williams Bay. This home has a “Yellow Brick Road” for walkers to follow.
Elizabeth Snyder, Lee Newspapers
Lake Geneva path and outdoor chairs.jpg
Empty chairs sit on a deck on a blustery fall day at Geneva Lake.
Kenosha News Photo by Elizabeth Snyder
Lake Geneva path sign.jpg
More Coverage
For an entire list of Richard Driehaus' extravagant Lake Geneva party themes and celebrity guests through the years, along with photos see page A4 and look for more coverage at lakegenevanews.net.
Richard Driehaus died at 78 on March 9. The Chicago businessman who owned the Driehaus Estate in Lake Geneva earning the fortune he made and he knew how to enjoy it by celebrating extravagantly, preserving history and giving back to the community.
A view of a Richard Driehaus’ mansion, Glanworth Gardens, along the Shore Path, between Lake Geneva and Williams Bay. This home has a “Yellow Brick Road” for walkers to follow.
The angel on top of the Driehaus Family Fountain is still gone, getting repaired after it was vandalized. But it is expected to be returned to its rightful place soon.
Richard Driehaus’ love and dedication to historical architecture won him the 2015 American Institute of Architects Lifetime Achievement Award. He has been recognized for his preservation of Chicago’s 1886 Ransom Cable House, which houses his financial company.
Driehaus’ love of architecture went beyond the Lake Geneva mansion. He established the Driehaus Museum to preserve art and architecture of the 19th Century inside the 1887-built Samuel M. Nickerson Mansion.
