Dana-Thomas House Closed For Now
by deecat
As much as I love architecture, I was really looking forward to going inside the Frank Lloyd Wright designed home called Dana-Thomas House. However, because of financial woes of the state of Illinois, our ex-governor, had selected this site to be closed down. Fortunately, our present Governor has decided to reopen it. Too late for Mickey and I, but I'm certainly happy that others will be able to tour it soon.
We walked to the home in the Old Aristocrat Hill Historic Area [See Photo #4] just so that I could view the outside of this Prairie-Style Home. In 1902, a local socialite and activist, Susan Lawrence Dana, hired Chicago architect, Frank Lloyd Wright, to remodel her family home. At this time, Wright was only 33. She told him "to spare no expense". Naturally, we took her at her word, and because of that, this home is said to be the one of the finest Prairie-Style homes that he designed"
You can tell it is a Prairie-Style Design because of its low horizontal roof, wide overhanging eaves, and rows of ribbon art glass windows.
This home still has the original furniture, art glass doors, windows, and light fixtures...all designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. Mickey and I went to Wright's hometown of Oak Park, Illinois to see his home, office, homes he designed, and his museum. That is probably why I was so interested in this home here in Springfield.j Susan Dana lived here until about 1928, but she owned it until 1944. At that time, Mr. and Mrs. Charles C. Thomas purchased it. Thus, the nameDana-Thomas Home. The Thomas' used it as an executive office for their publishing firm for 37 years. In state of Illinois purchased it in 1981. The state totally restored it; the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency maintains and runs it.
When the home is open, one hour tours are given. Then you can see the "100 pieces of original Wright furniture, 250 examples of art glass dooors and windows, and more than 100 art glass light fixtures"!
The home has a Gallery and Dining Room with two-story barrel-vaulted ceilings! Would you believe that the basement has a duck pin bowling alley, and there is an indoor terra cotta fountain! You can see why I wanted to take a tour.
Horseshoe!
by frankcanfly
Don't call it a sandwich when you order it, just say "Horseshoe."
It's described as two pieces of bread, a meat, covered with melted cheese and french fries.
If you're in the mood for some 'bar food', and don't want to worry about being healthy for a meal..... this is what you need to order!
See my restaurant tips to find YOUR horseshoe.
Shea's Gas Station Museum
by meteorologist1
Shea’s Gas Station is a historic Route 66 landmark located in Springfield. The museum contains colorful signs and memorabilia collected from back in the days when Route 66 was in operation. This gas station served as a rest stop for cross-country travelers.
Facilities at New Salem Village
by deecat
Over the years, the New Salem Village has expanded and added more Facilities.
The Visitor Center is rather new; it houses an auditorium, museu, exhibits, restrooms, and administrative offices. Here, we saw an 18-minutes orientation film in the beautiful auditorium. The exhibits that we saw here focused on New Salem and Abraham Lincoln. There's a staue of Lincoln, murals, and original Lincoln items. Photos # 1 and #3.
Lincoln League Museum Store is a beautiful stone structure that was NOT part of the original village. It features a variety of nineteenth-century craft reproductions by Illinois artisans. I purchased a necklace for my daughter here. See Photos #2 and #4
There is a RESTAURANT for family and large group dining located across from the park entrance that is called New Salem Restaurant. Phone: 217.632.4400
New Salem Deli & Pizzeria and Lincoln League Souvenir Shop is where Mickey and I purchased a small lunch. Mickey had a sandwich, and I had one piece of pizza and an ice cream cone. It's located near the Visitor Center. As well as food, you are able to purchase books, gifts, and souvenirs. The day we were there, the place was swarming with children on field trips from schools.
Kelso Hollow Theater [Theatre in the Park] is operated end of May through August, and several live productions are featured. This year, they are presenting "Little Women", "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers", "They Knew Lincoln", "Forever This Land", "Heritage", "Mother Hicks", "Camp Sunshine", "Abe", and "Shakespeare Shorts". It is a stadium-style 500-seat theatre with unobstructed view of the multi-level stage.
Camping areas for both tents and trailers are available with showers, electrical hookups, and a sanitary station. Permits are required. Restroom and shower facilities are closed from December 1 through April 1 each year.
There are several designated PICNIC AREAS with water, tables and fire gates.
More Abraham Lincoln Information
by deecat
When it first opened, some critics said that the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum was too "Disney-like with too much showmanship". Oh, how time has proven those critics were so wrong.
Yes, the museum does use 21st century technology, but for a purpose...they literaly IMMERSE the visitors in Lincoln's world of hoop skirts, gas lamps, log cabins, ghostly visions, and campaign slogans.
Here's a list of what you are able to visit in the museum. Please take your time to absorb it all.
The rustic Indiana cabin that young Abe Lincoln called home.
Confront the horrors of slavery as you see the slave auction block where a family is torn apart in New Orleans.
A favorite of mine was when we entered A MODERN-DAY TELEVISION CONTROL ROOM and saw campaign commercials of the four presidential candidates [including Lincoln] with interpretations in the election of 1860.
Listen to black servants as they gossip in the White House kitchen about the possibility of EMANCIPATION.
Sadly, go into the Blue Room at the White House and meet MARY TODD LINCOLN at the "dawn of four tragic years"..deaths of children and husband.
Be amazed at the warp-speed of the Civil War in Four Minutes! You are able to watch the North and South armies move and see the mounting casualties on both sides. I was surprised to see that the North lost many more men than the South.
Then be in the box at Ford's Theatre as Lincoln is shot; then share in the grief of ordinary Americans as they file by Lincoln's reproduced casket in 1865.
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See the THEATER SPECTACULARS:
1. Lincoln's Eyes, a multi-screen special effects that surrounds you on three sides.
2. Ghosts of the Library combines live actors & Holavision technology which takes you on a journey of discovery into the Library archives. Remarkably interesting.
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SPECIAL GALLERIES
The Illinois Gallery deals with changing exhibits of the history of Illinois
Treasures Gallery where you see valuable artifacts: the most important is one of five existing copies of the GETTYSBURG ADDRESS in Lincoln's own handwriting.
Mrs. Lincoln's Attic is for kids. Here children of all ages are able to dress up and play games that Tad and Willie Lincoln would have played. There's a giant dollhouse that recreats Lincoln's Springfield home. [photos #1 and #3]
Pictures to Take: Children of all ages can have their picture taken with life-size modedls of Abraham Lincoln in front of the log cabin or the Lincoln's in front of the White house. [photo #2]
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OTHER OFFERINGS:
1. Museum Store: It is an excellent store with lots of books, postcards,jewelry, hand-crafted gifts, reproductions, videos, cards, photo albums [I purchased one especially for my Springfield photographs] Note that a portion of the proceeds helps to support educational and other Library & Museum programs.
2. Augie's Cafe is where visitors can eat gourmet sandwiches, snacks, and hot dishes which are prepared fresh daily. They also have specialty gourmet coffees and other refreshments.
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Lincoln Family in front of the Whilte House
Elder Bill Shea, a celebrity
Dee's Greek Salad
Woman Tending Garden Outside New Salem Tavern
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