Book Our Historic Mansion and Support Student Scholarships

Nestled in the heart of North Oak Park, our breathtaking 1905 Tudor Revival mansion, designed by renowned architect Henry Fiddelke, is more than just a school.

When the pandemic closed our doors and LMS transitioned online, we opened our doors on Airbnb to keep our scholarship fund alive, inspired by a stay at the Istituo San Giuseppe in Venice, Italy. That mission continues today as we continue to keep our scholarship fund alive with bookings when our school is closed on holidays and select weekends, as well as our Winter, Spring and Summer Breaks.

Every booking directly supports our privately funded scholarship program, helping students from all backgrounds access music, language, and academic tutoring, as well as supporting our K-12 program (currently all of our K-12 students receive a partial scholarship to attend our program). Whether you're planning a retreat, special celebration, or creative gathering, your stay can help make a difference for students of every age.

This castle-like mansion is the only privately owned estate of its kind in Oak Park, and is only available for rent on select dates, when not in use by our school. Guests enjoy access to:

A grand performance hall, dining room, and study
Three elegant bedrooms and three spa-like bathrooms
A private courtyard and multiple outdoor porches
Optional access to additional rooms and amenities upon request

Please note: events must follow local village permitting rules and respect our space and sound ordinance. For full details and availability, visit our Airbnb listing or contact us directly to discuss your needs. Exceptions to the booking calendar may be possible upon request.

We’re honored to share this space with you, and grateful for your support in keeping our programs thriving.

Events are booked on a case by case basis based on alignment with our mission and subject to availability.

The historic Burton Hales Mansion, home to The Language and Music School and its scholarship initiatives, welcomes a limited number of private gatherings and celebrations each year.
Proceeds from these events directly support student scholarships and community education programs that sustain our mission of making language and music learning accessible to all.

Examples of Past Events: Oak Park Historical Society, Oak Park Realtors' Holiday Baazar, Acting for a Cause Theatre Co.,

Music Video shoot for "Sun Raha" a Bollywood presentation,

NBC/Universal Documentary, and select weddings.

Event Contributions (Year-Round)

Saturday Evening Event (5 PM – 10 PM): $3,990

Friday or Sunday Evening Event (5 PM – 9 PM): $3,325

Monday – Thursday

Daytime Program (4 Hours): $2,565
Evening Program (4 Hours after 5 PM): $2,755

Each event includes 2 hours of setup prior to the start time and 1 hour of cleanup following the event.
Events operate under Oak Park’s Special Event Permit process for safety and compliance.

Add-On Options

Second-Floor Guest Suites – Up to 3 bedrooms, one with ensuite bath. Linens and housekeeping included. $900 per night
Third-Floor Guest Quarters – Two queen beds and two twin beds (sleeps up to 6). $650 per night (only in addition to 2nd floor rooms)
Kitchen Access – Counter Use Only – Includes counter space, range (minus grill functionality), microwaves, ovens, and dishwashers. Pantry drawers and refrigerator are off limits (non-commercial). $500
Additional Setup or Cleanup Hour – Based on availability. $500 per hour

Overnight Mission Package (5 PM – 12 PM Next Day)

Includes an evening event and overnight stay in three guest suites.

Ideal for retreats, donor appreciation gatherings, or cultural celebrations that support our scholarship fund.

Contribution: $5,000 (Direct) or $5,500 (via Airbnb platform)

Included Amenities

100 white event chairs
12 rectangular plastic tables (4 ft x 2 ft) with White or maroon tablecloths
10 cocktail tables (two height options)
Glassware, dinnerware, and utensils for up to 100 guests
JBL PA system with wireless microphone and Bluetooth
Indoor restroom on the first floor
Garden and patio access until 11 PM

Setup and Cleanup Policy

The mansion is provided as a clear, ready-to-use space at the start of your setup window.
Guests or event teams are responsible for all setup and teardown of furniture, décor, and catering items.
Setup Window: 2 hours before event start
Cleanup Window: 1 hour after event end (overtime billed at $500/hr).
Return furniture to original positions and bag trash for outdoor bins.
Mansion staff provide access, oversight, and post-event inspection only; labor is not included.

Policies

All events must comply with Village of Oak Park Special Event and Tent Permit requirements.
Quiet hours begin at 11 PM.
No smoking indoors or within property gates.
Alcohol service allowed only by licensed caterer or designated host in accordance with local permit conditions.
50% non-refundable contribution due to reserve date; balance due 30 days before event.
Guest damage, overtime, or excessive cleaning may be deducted from deposit.
A property manager resides onsite in a private locked suite on the second floor to ensure security and 24-hour guest support. The residence is separate and not part of the rental.

Important Notes

Contributions are not tax-deductible, but they directly fund student scholarships and educational access through our scholarship initiative.
Events are limited to a select number per year to preserve the mansion’s historic integrity and ensure neighborhood harmony.
All gatherings are hosted with the approval of required special event and safety permits.

All gatherings are private, invitation-only events held in support of the educational mission of The Language and Music School, Inc. and are hosted in compliance with applicable Village of Oak Park permits and regulations.

LMS Students Now and Then

Singer/Songwriter (Featured on Jimmy Kimmel and Carnegie Hall)

Neal Francis

Neal Francis is a Chicago-based singer, songwriter, and pianist whose latest album, Return To Zero, blends analog-driven '70s dance grooves with heavy psych-rock and funk, showcasing his genre-defying artistry. A classically trained pianist who began touring with blues legends as a teen, Francis has since played over 400 shows globally, sold out headline performances, supported acts like Wilco and My Morning Jacket, and graced stages from Bonnaroo to Carnegie Hall. His critically acclaimed discography, including the BBC-lauded Changes and the live double album Francis Comes Alive, cements him as one of the most innovative voices in modern rock and soul.

Olympic Athlete

Emery Lehman

Emery Lehman is a three-time Olympic speed skater and World Championship medalist known for his powerhouse performances in team pursuit and dominance in long-distance events. A civil engineering graduate from Marquette University, Lehman balances elite athleticism with academic rigor, earning accolades both on and off the ice. Representing Team USA since age 17, he has competed in Sochi, PyeongChang, and Beijing, cementing his reputation as one of America's most resilient and technically gifted speed skaters.

Film Director and member of Never Sorry Band

Brando Crawford

Brando Crawford is the co-owner of the school today, but for the first 18 years of his life, he was a student. He is the founder and director of Acting for a Cause, an organization renowned for its groundbreaking philanthropic productions. Crawford's Acting for a Cause first made headlines in 2020 (BBC, British Vogue, Variety, Chicago Tribune etc), for a series of star studded "guerrilla theatre" productions raising funds entirely for charitable causes. Casts included Oscar Nominee Florence Pugh, Jacob Elordi, and Bella Thorne among many other young Hollywood elites and his feature film reimagining of The Room, starring Bob Odenkirk and produced by Mike Flanagan. He is also a musician and a member of the band Never Sorry, alongside bassist Rivkah Reyes and guitarist Joey Gaydos Jr., both known for their roles in the film School of Rock and actor and drummer Rob Raco. The band has collaborated with Platinum Producer Twin Shadow, Bowie's Pianist Mike Garson and model, Dilone.

Featured Alumnus

Gabe Pickus attended the Language and Music School for twelve years before becoming the founder and director of Inward Discovery (Grows Outdoors): InDiGO, a project of Social Good Fund, a California nonprofit corporation and registered 501(c)(3) organization.