About Sanfilippo Estate
Sanfilippo Estate is an extraordinary place that offers an impressive collection of self-playing musical instruments, a rescued and restored 19th-century carousel, and a stunning house with various antiques. Visitors can enjoy guided tours focusing on the social history of perfumes, complete with bottles, packaging, and cosmetics. The estate also features a 7000 pipe theater organ, and early 20th-century gambling machinery. The exceptional theater organ performances by Dave Wickerham are a highlight of this phenomenal place. Attending a charity event at Sanfilippo Estate is highly recommended, and non-event tickets are available for other worthwhile tours. Guests have described the estate as a "whimsical and magical place" with a "merry-go-round that you are permitted to ride," and have praised the knowledgeable tour guides who provide "plenty of information" about the estate's collection.
Wow, this place completely exceeded my expectations! I did the 3 hour tour and honestly, I was kind of expecting something a little like House on the Rock in Wisconsin (which I enjoyed a lot by the way). However, unlike House on the Rock, this is amalgamation of automatic, self playing music instruments that have been lovingly restored by a serious collector and not a dusty assortment of out of tune machines... some that probably don't actually play any music at all. The guide was wonderful and informative as he took us from room to room to demonstrate the machines. The house itself is stunning. The best was the last part of the tour which transports you to a 1890's French saloon with a merry go round that you are permitted to ride. It's definitely worth going to see this place if you get the chance. I still can't believe that such a whimsical and magical place exists in the suburbs of Chicago!
Excellent tour of the building exhibiting many music machines, engines from days gone by, a carousel and culminating in a concert on a large organ, of which there are only 4 or 5 in the whole country.
I recently took the 3 hour introductory guided tour of parts of the Estate. The tour guide was highly educated in the estate and provided plenty of information. There are chairs to sit down, when necessary. Washrooms are also available. The tour ends at the carousel barn. So much more . . . calliope music, trains and, of course, the carousel. If the music will be loud, the tour guide will point out where NOT to stand.