Calendar

We're excited to bring you a new series of Civil War education programs at the Old State Capitol State Historic Site. On the Saturdays listed below, the Old State Capitol will be open for self-guided tours from 5:00-7:00 pm with short 20-minute presentations on weekly themes at 5:00, 5:45, and 6:30 pm. Presentations will vary week to week, but may include discussions with interpretive staff, interpreters in historic clothing, historic photography, props, artifacts, and/or hands-on activities.

This program is free and open to all ages; reservations are optional.

Bring your own materials and spend some time working on a creative project in the inspiring atmosphere of the Dana-Thomas House. Whether your interest is coloring, sketching, knitting, crochet, embroidery, origami, diamond art, watercolors or another type of project, we will provide you with space to work and engage in conversation with other community members who share your interest. Individuals, families and small groups are all welcome. This event is free and open to all ages; children must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Reservations are recommended.

Please note, wi-fi and electrical outlets are NOT available.

Growing up on Route 66 will be discussed by Mary Alice Davis, who along with her family grew up living at the A Lincoln Tourist Court in 1945 as gas rationing ended. Her parents, William and Helen Posgate named the motel after the 16th president. She and her brother Robert grew up at the motel, which never closed except for an hour on Christmas Day to have Christmas dinner. Davis serves on the Board of Directors and is a past president of the Historical Society. She served as chairman of the Echoes of Yesteryear Cemetery Walk at Oak Ridge Cemetery.

In the heart of our country, progressive-minded heiress Susan Lawrence Dana hired architect Frank Lloyd Wright to design her a home in which she could advance ideas about education and democracy.

The environment they created is one of the best-preserved examples of Wright’s “organic architecture,” containing more than 100 pieces of custom furniture and over 250 works of original art glass.

We invite you to see and experience the Dana-Thomas House by taking a guided tour of the site. The site is currently available by guided tour only; each guided tour lasts approximately one hour. Two evening tours will be provided, one at 5:30 and one at 6:30.

We're excited to bring you a new series of Civil War education programs at the Old State Capitol State Historic Site. On the Saturdays listed below, the Old State Capitol will be open for self-guided tours from 5:00-7:00 pm with short 20-minute presentations on weekly themes at 5:00, 5:45, and 6:30 pm. Presentations will vary week to week, but may include discussions with interpretive staff, interpreters in historic clothing, historic photography, props, artifacts, and/or hands-on activities.

This program is free and open to all ages; reservations are optional.

Bring your own materials and spend some time working on a creative project in the inspiring atmosphere of the Dana-Thomas House. Whether your interest is coloring, sketching, knitting, crochet, embroidery, origami, diamond art, watercolors or another type of project, we will provide you with space to work and engage in conversation with other community members who share your interest. Individuals, families and small groups are all welcome. This event is free and open to all ages; children must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Reservations are recommended.

Please note, wi-fi and electrical outlets are NOT available.

In the heart of our country, progressive-minded heiress Susan Lawrence Dana hired architect Frank Lloyd Wright to design her a home in which she could advance ideas about education and democracy.

The environment they created is one of the best-preserved examples of Wright’s “organic architecture,” containing more than 100 pieces of custom furniture and over 250 works of original art glass.

We invite you to see and experience the Dana-Thomas House by taking a guided tour of the site. The site is currently available by guided tour only; each guided tour lasts approximately one hour. Two evening tours will be provided, one at 5:30 and one at 6:30.

Illinois Humanities Road Scholar Karen Anderson tells the stories of women of color in 1760 French America who legally freed themselves from slavery only to be bound by government laws. She will discuss women like Sarah Baartman, who had to choose between being a circus oddity or a slave, and Sarah Breedlove and Ann Malone, who changed the way women of African descent saw themselves - how these women redefined beauty. She will reflect on a recent development: our society sees women of color as beautiful. Funded by Illinois Humanities