events, was formed soon after the decision was made to restore it to its former grandeur. Today it is operated by the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency.

Restored to its original elegance, the house contains the largest collection of Wright furniture and art-glass windows in the world. Its panoramic mural is the only intact painting of its kind created by internationally renowned artist George Niedecken, who painted many murals for Wright.

At Dana’s request, Wright also designed a library for the Lawrence School in honor of her father, the late Rheuna Lawrence. Not too long after Wright designed the space — one of only nine interiors Wright designed for a building that wasn’t his — the school converted the library into a classroom. However, Wright’s original construction records were discovered in his Taliesin West studio, in Scottsdale, Ariz., and the library was restored in the 1980s. It is now part of the Lawrence Education Center 101 E. Laurel St., 525-3144.

Traditional events include the birthday party for Susan Lawrence Dana during the second week of October and the decoration of the home in early Christmas finery during the holidays.

Dana-Thomas House, 301 E. Lawrence Ave., 217-782-6776, www.dana-thomas.org. Closed as of Feb. 1; check Web site for changes.

Daughter of Union Veterans of the Civil War Museum Located at its current site since 1969, the museum preserves countless artifacts of Civil War history. Several flags on display were carried into battle. Other items include an impressive array of rifles, medals, photos, currency, drums, uniforms and letters from soldiers at the front. The organization also has a complete set of War of the Rebellion: Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies. Other volumes relating to the war may be used for research on-site. A museum gift shop offers a variety of books about the Civil War. 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.