The Air Combat Museum is a must for aeronautics aficionados and history
buffs alike. Many historical aircraft are on display including a
Beechcraft AT-11 Kansan, a P-51 Mustang and a Vought F4U-5 Corsair -
Photo by Dave Janes
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.
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 is 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
Abe Lincoln visited this house where it was built, at Sixth and Cook streets.
Vachel Lindsay visited after Latham T. Souther had saved the oldest house in Springfield and moved it to South Fifth Street. It was moved to its current location, 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. As the collection of historical furnishings and artifacts grows, a busy year of meetings and special events is planned for 2009. Call or check the Web site for schedule updates.
Open 12 p.m.-4 p.m. Wed. & Sat., March-December. Donations accepted. 217-492-5929, www.ileshouse.blogspot.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 ever-popular exhibits about fire safety for the kids and the humongous collection of firefighter-squad 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 fire truck that has been displayed there for decades. Slated for exhibition in the Patch Room starting in late spring 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/Fire- Museum.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 the 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 there during the war. Owned by the National Women’s Relief Corps, an auxiliary to the Grand Army of the Republic, the museum also maintains many volumes of Civil War history that may be examined on-site.
Grand Army of the Republic Memorial Museum, 629 S. Seventh St., 217-522-4373.
Illinois State Military Museum Located on the grounds of Camp Lit-
