quarters for organization trustees visiting Springfield. A children’s room is also planned.
Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War Museum, 503 S. Walnut St., 217-544-0616. www.duvcw.org. Open 9 a.m.-noon and 1-4 p.m. Tue.-Sat. May 1-Oct. 31 (winter hours: 9 a.m.-12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Tue.-Sat.). Admission is free, but donations are accepted.
Edwards Place
Edwards Place is the oldest house in Springfield that remains standing on its original foundation. The mansion, built in 1833, was purchased 10 years later by Benjamin S. and Helen Dodge Edwards. For many years, the mansion was at the center of Springfield’s social and political life. A rally for Stephen A. Douglas was held here. In 1913, Edwards Place was deeded to the Springfield Art Association. Several major collections of art are maintained in the house. More modern artwork is on view at the SAA Gallery adjoining the house. The association also offers a variety of art and art-appreciation classes.
The Association’s Michael Victor II Art Library loans items to the public. Established in 1964 by Devera and Benjamin Victor in memory of their son, Michael, the library has grown to 4,000 volumes on art and related topics. In addition to books, the library contains videos and DVD’s on art-related topics. It has books especially geared toward children, as well as many resources for those learning to create art themselves.
Edwards Place, 700 N. Fourth St., 217- 523-2631, springfieldart.org. Open for tours at 11 a.m.-2 p.m., on the hour, Tue.-Sat. (groups of more than 10 must call ahead for scheduling). The gallery and library are open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Fri. and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sat. Admission to the gallery is free; a $3 donation is suggested for tours of Edwards Place.
Elijah Iles House
The Elijah Iles House was built about 1828 and is Springfield’s oldest house. There is evidence that it was designed by the same architect who designed the Old State Capitol. It is one of Illinois’ earliest residences in the Greek Revival style of architecture. Two of Springfield’s most famous citizens, Abraham Lincoln and poet Nicholas Vachel Lindsay, are known to have visited the house. Lincoln spent time in the house as a guest of Robert Irwin and he enjoyed many a card game in the front parlor.
Because of the house’s impressive architecture and rich history, it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. Having been moved from two earlier locations, the house found its current home at the corner of Seventh and Cook, in 2004. Until recently, the house was thought to have been built by Elijah Iles in 1832, but newly discovered information indicates that it was built in 1828 by Charles Matheny, another city founder. An elevator, accessible from special parking behind the house, provides access to visitors with limited mobility. The Museum of Springfield History is located in the house’s lower level. Exhibits have included topics such as Springfield’s early beginnings and the history of the Illinois Watch Company.
Open 12 p.m.-4 p.m. Wed. & Sat., March- December. Donations accepted. 217-492- 5929, www.ileshouse.com.
Illinois Fire Museum
Once the home of the Illinois State Fairgrounds’ own fire station, this site has been transformed into a museum by the state fire marshal. Continuing this year are the everpopular exhibits about fire safety for the kids and the humongous collection of firefightersquad patches from all over the world. The museum has a display of photos of famous and infamous Illinois fires. The museum is slated to acquire more examples of antique firefighting equipment, in addition to the 1938 Diamond T firetruck that has been displayed there for decades. On exhibit in the Patch Room is a horse-drawn Hanneman Hand Pumper first used in Quincy in 1857 and today on loan from the San Jose, Ill., fire department. When the state fair isn’t on, parking is plentiful.
Illinois Fire Museum, Building 7, Illinois State Fairgrounds, Central at Main, 217-785-7487, www.state.il.us/osfm/Museum/FireMuseum.htm. Open by appointment only, Mon.-Fri. Call 217-785-7487. Admission is free.
Grand Army of the Republic Memorial Museum
When John Wilkes Booth assassinated Abraham Lincoln, he leaped to the stage, caught his heel on the flag that hung from Lincoln’s box seat, and sprained his ankle on landing. That flag, bearing the tear inflicted by Booth’s heel, is now on display at this unique museum, which is within walking distance of the Lincoln Home, and across the street from the Elijah Iles House. The collection includes tintype photos by Matthew Brady, a rare drawing of the infamous Andersonville prison camp and a complete list of Union soldiers held
