Cuneo Museum and Gardens. Office of the Director.

When John F. Cuneo Sr. died in 1977, he stated in his will that his mansion in Vernon Hills, Illinois, ws to be used for "educational purposes" after his wife no longer used the house. When she died, themansion became part of the Cuneo Foundation, becoming an historic house museum called the Cuneo Museum and Gardens in 1990. The first director of the museum, Barbara Hirschfeld, oversaw the museum operations and worked to make Cuneo a popular place for weddings, private events, concerts, and other events. Most notably, Hirshfeld instituted the Holiday Light Show, which has become an annual tradition. During her tenure the museum and grounds became a favorite location for filming movies and television series including "My Best Friend's Wedding" and :The Untouchables". Hirschfeld retired from the museum in 1997.