Stone Rose Partners  ·  Freeport, Illinois

A Legacy Built to Last.
A Landmark Ready to Rise.

836 W. Stephenson Street  ·  The Rawleigh Mansion  ·  Est. 1908

Residence of W.T. Rawleigh, Freeport, Ill. — circa 1911

Residence of W.T. Rawleigh, Freeport, Ill., circa 1911

1908 Year Built
120 Years of History
3 Floors
5 Bedrooms
4.5 Bathrooms
7,012 Square Feet
The Man Behind the Mansion

From a Borrowed Horse and $15 to a Global Empire

William Thomas Rawleigh didn't inherit his place in the world. He built it, farmhouse by farmhouse, from a horse-drawn buggy in rural Illinois. Starting with just four "Good Health Products" and a borrowed horse, Rawleigh built one of the most remarkable business empires of the early 20th century, all from the heart of Freeport, Illinois.

He pioneered the free trial. He sourced vanilla from Madagascar, spices from Sumatra, and ylang-ylang from Zanzibar, personally visiting the countries where his raw materials were grown. He founded what would become the Freeport Art Museum. He served as Freeport's mayor and as a member of the Illinois House of Representatives. And by 1922, over 20 million households had welcomed a "Rawleigh Man" through their front door.

He built 836 W. Stephenson as his family home, a stone mansion that matched his outsized vision for what Freeport could be. That home still stands today.

20M+ Households served by 1922
6 Continents where Rawleigh operated
1,000+ Rawleigh dealers by World War I
1889
The Journey BeginsAt 18, with $15 and a borrowed horse, Rawleigh departs Mineral Point, Wisconsin for Stephenson County, Illinois, determined to build something from nothing.
1892
Freeport Becomes HomeRawleigh establishes his first factory and laboratory in downtown Freeport. The city becomes the permanent headquarters of a growing empire.
1908
The Mansion is CommissionedIn 1908, at the height of his success, Rawleigh builds 836 W. Stephenson, a stone mansion that reflects his vision for himself and for Freeport.
1909
Mayor of FreeportBy 1910, Rawleigh is the city's most prominent citizen. He serves as acting mayor 1909–1911, then as a member of the Illinois House of Representatives.
1915
A Global Footprint2,000 "Rawleigh Men" now serve 20,000 customers daily across North America, Australia, New Zealand, and outposts in Africa and Asia.
1928
Art for FreeportRawleigh's personal art collection, gathered from Europe, Asia, and the Americas across decades of global travel, becomes the foundation of today's Freeport Art Museum.
W.T. Rawleigh — portrait photograph

William Thomas Rawleigh, entrepreneur, mayor, statesman, and Freeport's most enduring citizen

The Estate

836 W. Stephenson Street

Built in 1908 at the height of Rawleigh's success, this stone mansion stands as one of Freeport's most architecturally significant properties. Its limestone construction, classic proportions, and handsome carriage house are a rare surviving example of the Gilded Age prosperity that Rawleigh brought to this corner of Illinois.

Stone Rose Partners, LLC is currently under contract to purchase the historic Rawleigh Mansion, a once-in-a-generation opportunity to restore one of Freeport's most significant landmarks. Stone Rose Partners envisions a careful, phased restoration that preserves every historic detail while returning this landmark to its rightful place in the Freeport community.

The carriage house, a significant structure in its own right, will be the first phase of the restoration plan: renovated and restored as the first visible signal that something meaningful is happening at 836.

836 W. Stephenson Street — front facade
The carriage house at 836 W. Stephenson
Original stained glass — 836 W. Stephenson
Limestone Construction
1908 Year Built
+ Carriage House on Property
NR Candidate Nat'l Historic Register
Community Voice

Freeport Remembers

For generations, Freeport residents have carried a deep affection for the Rawleigh Mansion. Even today, people across the community are still sharing what this home has meant to them personally and what it represents for the city. Generations of residents and people with ties to the Rawleigh family have made clear how deeply this home is woven into Freeport's identity and how much it means to see it restored.

"

Why can't Freeport buy it and restore it? It is part of the history of Freeport. So sad, someone buy it and fix it. If I had the money, I'd make it a museum.

Freeport Resident

"

So hope it can be restored and saved. Very cool house, loved the natural woodwork.

Freeport Resident

"

I lived there in 1966–68, also on the first floor. What an incredible house, still the most beautiful place I've ever lived!

Former Resident

"

Three other ladies and I rented the first floor of the Rawleigh mansion around 1971 or 1972. It was beautiful inside. Tons of stained glass.

Former Resident

"

Can someone buy this and restore it back to its original state? It's beautiful on the inside and out.

Freeport Resident

"

I always loved that house. What a shame. This poor home has really not been loved in many years.

Freeport Resident

Freeport's Story

A City With a Big Story and a Bright Future

Freeport is a city that knows who it is. It has a walkable, historic downtown, a remarkable collection of cultural assets, and a community that shows up for itself. Outdoor enthusiasts will find the Pecatonica River for kayaking, the Pecatonica Prairie Path for biking, and Apple River Canyon State Park just 30 minutes away. Freeport has deep roots and real momentum.

PHOTO: Historic Freeport City Hall
Historic City Hall

Originally Freeport's public library, this beautiful 1901 building was a gift from Andrew Carnegie and reflects the city's long tradition of civic investment and pride. It has since found its next chapter as City Hall.

PHOTO: Freeport Public Library
Freeport Public Library

A standout public library serving the community with programs, resources, and a presence that reflects the city's investment in its people.

PHOTO: Freeport Art Museum / Block 62
Freeport Art Museum: New Home Coming

Founded on W.T. Rawleigh's art collection gathered across six continents, the museum is moving into a new 14,000 sq ft space downtown, the Block 62, anchoring a new cultural campus alongside the Arts Plaza and public library.

PHOTO: Krape Park
Krape Park

A beloved 105-acre gem in the heart of the city, complete with a lagoon, paddle boats, a vintage carousel, and green space that draws families year-round.

PHOTO: Lincoln-Douglas Debate Statue
Lincoln-Douglas Debate Site

Freeport hosted the second and most consequential of the 1858 Lincoln-Douglas debates. The city's famous statue commemorates a moment that shaped the course of American history.

PHOTO: Pecatonica River / outdoor recreation
Outdoor Recreation

Playing two stunning courses at Park Hills Golf Club, kayaking the Pecatonica River, biking the Prairie Path, and hiking Apple River Canyon — the area offers serious outdoor adventure close to home.

1 of 4 Cities Selected Nationally for the 2026 Recast Leaders Cohort

Freeport Is on the National Radar

In early 2026, Freeport was selected from an open, nationwide application process as one of just four U.S. cities to participate in the Recast Leaders program, an initiative that has energized downtown revitalization and economic resilience in more than 200 cities across 44 states. Led by the Greater Freeport Partnership and the City of Freeport's community development department, the program gives Freeport a proven roadmap, expert coaching, and peer support to accelerate its downtown momentum. The Rawleigh Mansion's restoration is a direct expression of that momentum — a visible, permanent investment in the story Freeport is writing right now.

The Vision

Restoration in Three Acts

Restoring the Rawleigh Mansion is a project that belongs to Freeport. Stone Rose Partners has developed a phased restoration strategy designed to stabilize the property quickly, engage the community meaningfully, and build toward a fully restored landmark — in partnership with the city, preservation organizations, and the residents who have never stopped caring about this place.

Phase One

Exterior & Carriage House

Restore the mansion's exterior and rehabilitate the carriage house as a premium rental unit. This phase drives immediate curb appeal, begins generating the income stream that funds continued restoration, and signals to the Freeport community that something significant is happening at 836.

Stabilization First
Phase Two

Interior Restoration

Restore the mansion's original architectural character: millwork, masonry, and period details, while upgrading mechanical systems to current code. Stone Rose Partners is actively pursuing National Register eligibility for the property, which would unlock the 20% federal historic tax credit and meaningfully reduce the cost of restoration — making community and institutional investment in this phase more impactful.

National Register Pathway
Phase Three

Pride & Community

A fully restored Rawleigh Mansion becomes something Freeport can be proud of again, a home people slow down to admire, photograph, and share. It becomes a natural part of the community celebrations and civic life that make this city special. This phase is only possible because of the partnerships built in the phases before it — and a tangible symbol of what becomes possible when a city decides a place is worth saving.

Community Pride
Who We Are

About Us

Jen and Kurt met working on a home renovation project and discovered a shared love of historic architecture and restoration. Kurt brings a natural eye for design and architecture. Jen brings two decades of business strategy and operations experience.

The combination proved a natural fit, and Stone Rose Partners was born from a shared belief that historic properties deserve restoration with both craft and discipline. The Rawleigh Mansion is their first project together, bringing Kurt's design vision and Jen's operational rigor to a property, and a city, they both believe in.

Jenifer Zacharias

Jenifer Zacharias

Business Manager

Jen is a business strategist with 25+ years of experience across management consulting, brand management, and executive coaching. In addition to Stone Rose Partners, Jen is a Partner at Shine Leadership, an executive coaching and leadership development firm. She served as Head of North America Onboarding and Learning & Development at Boston Consulting Group and advised Managing Directors and partner teams across 78 global offices on strategy and organizational growth. Earlier in her career she held brand management roles at SC Johnson, Alberto Culver, and Unilever. She holds an MBA from INSEAD and a BA in Political Science, summa cum laude, from the University of Notre Dame. At Stone Rose Partners, Jen leads business strategy, finance, and operations.

Shine Leadership →
Kurt Miller

Kurt Jacob Miller

General Contractor / Designer

Kurt Jacob Miller is an interior designer and visual artist with a background spanning retail visual merchandising, luxury goods marketing, PR, and product development. A Freeport native, he holds a BFA from Kendall College of Art and Design in Interior Design and the Visual Arts. He has appeared in national television spots and countless industry publications, and is widely recognized for his tablescapes and his work as an avid collector of antiques, tableware, and the decorative arts. Kurt is one half of Jacob Lukas Design, the studio he shares with partner Lukas Mack. At Stone Rose Partners, Kurt leads design and construction, bringing a native's eye for craftsmanship and historic detail to the Rawleigh Mansion restoration.

Jacob Lukas Design →
Get Involved

Be Part of the Story

Whether you're a potential donor or investor, a Freeport community advocate, or someone with ties to the Rawleigh family or legacy: we want to hear from you.

This site is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a securities offering. All financial figures are estimates.