Stepping Inside Peterloon: The Storied Estate with Stories to Tell

By Mary Casey-Sturk, Indian Hill Living Editor

From a palatial estate created for the Emery family to an event space that hosts thousands annually, Peterloon is one of the most well-known homes in Cincinnati.

Developer John J. Emery’s real estate company worked to revitalize much of downtown following the Great Depression. Among his buildings were the Carew Tower (at the time the tallest building west of the Alleghenies) and the Terrace Plaza hotel. The modern style of the Terrace Plaza drew much attention for its service and original artwork commissioned especially for the building by John Miro, Saul Steinberg and Alexander Calder. 

Emery was a founder of Cincinnati Country Day School, a benefactor of the Cincinnati Art Museum (now home to the works by Miro, Steinberg and Calder) and served as vice-president of the Boy Scouts. He hosted so many Scouting Jamborees that they came to be known as “Peterloons”.

Irene Gibson Emery, his wife, was the daughter of  well-known artist, Charles Dana Gibson. He created the Gibson Girl. The Gibson Girl pen and ink illustrated stories represented the American women at the turn of the 20^th century. He visited Peterloon often.

A Graceful Family Home

With all the artistic influences in their lives, it’s no wonder the Emerys created such a showplace.  Seemingly plucked out of the European countryside, the home is rich with details and grandeur. 

Built in 1928 and much like historic European houses of the era, period rooms were incorporated using materials (or entire rooms) from 17^th and 18^th century British and French houses. For instance, inside Peterloon you will find a carved 16^th-century fireplace as well as paneling and flooring brought over from Britain and France and still enjoyed today. Another era was embraced with the installation of an Art Deco spiral staircase and fine art adorns the walls with portraits of family and a true treasure: a portrait drawing of John Emery at about age 20 by John Singer Sargent. 

Charles Dana Gibson’s illustrations and paintings are also highlights in the home, beloved by guests now as they were by his family then.

Peterloon was a family home, welcoming a large family that included John (Jack) and Irene and the six children, George and Nancy, the offspring of Irene’s first marriage to George Post, and the Emery’s three daughters, Irene, Lela and Melissa, and son, Ethan.

An Insider’s Point of View

Indian Hill Living spoke with Bridget Hooper, Executive Director of Peterloon about the estate and favorite places. 

Hooper shared for our readers, “Keeping in mind that Peterloon was built during the Roaring Twenties, with family wealth that Jack Emery’s father and uncle amassed (and that was also the source for the creation of Mariemont), it’s quite amazing to spend my days in this living piece of history. The house was designed to have a full staff of servants, like television’s Downton Abbey, but the Great Depression and World War II changed how people lived, and the Emerys adapted, turning to the farms on the property for sustainable living and making Peterloon a refuge for English cousins during the war. And there are constant reminders of that wherever you turn. The family and previous directors went to great lengths to maintain the upstairs rooms as they originally were, and it’s always a great joy to share that with guests either on tours or during events, and to see their reaction as they get a peek into how the Emerys lived 100 years ago. There are drawers that still have Mr. Emery’s notes about field yields and fertilizer purchases mixed in with a rogue invitation to dinner at a friend’s house in Hyde Park. And while we can’t show those to the guests, just because we do have to set boundaries, knowing that they exist is a wonderful secret. The same goes for the secret passageways.” 

“But I think I most appreciate the building itself, and the care and thought that went into it. One of the home’s most distinctive features are the whimsical stone sculptures throughout the property, each reflecting elements of the family’s story. You’ll notice motifs such as snails, dolphins, and fish, which serve as a nod to their love of the beach. Seashells appear frequently as well, symbolizing protection, safety, resilience, and strength.” Added Hooper.

“Along the back of the home, stone inlays depict turkeys, chickens, a rooster, and pigs which are subtle references to the property’s history as a working farm. A particularly charming piece (and my favorite) is a sculpture of a basket filled with beagle puppies, included in honor of the family’s hunting dogs.” Continuing, Hooper notes, “Not everybody notices these stone sculptures, which is fair because there are so many other awe-inspiring elements to the house – which you’ve noted – such as the fireplace, the parquet floors, the wood paneled walls, the artwork, and the gardens. But I’m also amazed by the special interests that some people have. We’ve had people notice something unique – like a 1917 Hubbel outlet, a Prometheus Warming Oven, and so many other things I pass by every day- and then eagerly share their expertise, which is much appreciated as we’re really trying to keep these 100+ year old bits and pieces in place and working.”

“Inevitably, there will also be a guest who has some connection to the Emery family – maybe someone once worked for the Emery Candle Company, or at Emery Industries (which eventually became Emery Oleochemicals), or in one of the offices of the Carew Tower – and more often than not, they will have a wonderful story to share about how the Emerys impacted them.” Shared Hooper.

Finally, Hooper notes, “At the end of the day, it’s amazing to me the impact that this family had in Cincinnati and how we get to prolong that impact by hosting events at Peterloon. We get to share one family’s history by literally inviting people to step into that history. And it’s wonderful to see the house come alive with activity – even if it’s only as the backdrop for someone’s special day or a non-profit’s fundraiser – because, in many ways, that was the role Peterloon was built to play. “

A Life of Philanthropy that Continues

Emery’s philanthropy continues today. The Peterloon Foundation was created in 1979 to continue the charitable work of John J. and Irene Emery. As patrons of the arts and with a heart for philanthropy, John J. and Irene Emery hosted numerous fundraisers, musical performances and other charitable events at Peterloon. After their passing, it became the Foundation’s mission to continue to host events at Peterloon for the benefit, education and enjoyment of the Greater Cincinnati community.” Shares Peterloon.org. 

The Peterloon Foundation oversees Peterloon and its grounds so that it can continue to shine for years to come. It offers Historical and Educational group tours and hosts several community events throughout the year that are open to the public (and can befound on their website). A portion of these ticket sales go towards a local non-profit organization within the Cincinnati community. It also helps non-profits by offering discounted rental rates to 501 (c) (3) human service, health and welfare, educational and cultural organizations throughout the metropolitan Cincinnati area.

For more information, visit peterloon.org