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The
Jarrot Mansion
The
Jarrot Mansion
Cahokia, Illinois
The Illinois Historic Preservation Agency's restoration of the oldest brick structure in Illinois was minimized in order to preserve its integrity and value as a historical artifact. No objects are included in the structure, which presents a unique challenge for interpretation. TM convened three community focus groups to help determine public knowledge of and interest in the Jarrot Mansion and possible directions for interpretation. Role-playing was seen as an exciting possibility, so TM designed a bar-code reading system that allows visitors to adopt the identities of Nicholas Jarrot, his wife, a slave, a tradesman or a modern resotration architect. Our exhibits also explore different approaches of architectural restoration, conservation and preservation.