Springfield Historic Sites Programming and Special Events

At the Springfield State Historic Sites, our events are always changing and we are pleased to offer a variety of programs ranging on various topics related to our sites. Check here for our latest offerings for each site.

Please Note: May 25 – Sites Closed in Observance of Memorial Day 

Dana-Thomas House

• April - September 2026: High School Floral Arrangement Initiative. Starting April 18, area high school students are mentored by volunteers from the Springfield Civic Garden Club and create décor to be displayed from April through September in the Dana-Thomas House. Our building and grounds team is also coordinating with the volunteer office to recruit area high school to start seeds for annuals to be used in planters at the historic sites.

• Saturday May 2, 10:00 AM: Specialty Tour "Attention to Detail" - Expert volunteer Frank Marchant will lead you on this in-depth tour of the Dana-Thomas House. The tour, which is twice as long as a general tour, includes entering rooms that are not seen on other tours. You'll get a detailed look at the house from an architectural perspective, including some colorful stories related to the Dana House. Sign up through eventbrite here: Attention to Detail: A Dana-Thomas House Specialty Tour Tickets, Multiple dates | Eventbrite

• Saturday May 2, 10:00 AM: Specialty Tour "Of Glass and Wood" - Expert volunteer Frank Marchant will lead you on this in-depth tour of the Dana-Thomas House. The tour features an extremely extensive consideration of what is the largest collection of Frank Lloyd Wright furniture and art glass anywhere in the world. Architectural prospectives of the glass will be noted, and you'll hear some colorful stories about Frank Lloyd Wright. Sign up through eventbrite here: Of Glass and Wood: A Dana-Thomas House Specialty Tour Tickets, Multiple dates | Eventbrite

• Monday, May 4: 5:30-7:30 pm, Maker Monday at Dana-Thomas House – Gardening Class - Co-hosted by Bloom In and Studio on Sixth. Join Elisha from Bloom-In as she provides you with tips on how to start your own garden. Reservations Required at https://www.allpaintshop.com/

• Saturday, May 23: Zoo Booth at the Dana-Thomas House, 10:30 am -1:30 pm - Henson-Robinson Zoo brings nature to the Dana-Thomas House for you to enjoy! Stop by to learn about about wildlife conservation and meet zoo animals! Free and open to everyone; no reservations needed. Zoo Booth is also confirmed for Saturday, June 6^th 10:30am- 1:30pm; and Saturday, June 27^th 10:30am- 1:30pm

• Sunday, May 31: Paint-A-Pot Class at the Dana-Thomas House Hosted by Ceramics Handmade by Rosie, 2-4pm - All materials will be provided in this fun class for you to paint a ceramic piece of your own! Pieces will be taken to the studio to be fired and available for you to pick up at a later date. Reservations Required: https://square.link/u/OHR5pK5t. Classes for June are also available:
  • Thursday June 11th | 5.30-7.30 PM - https://square.link/u/LLz3EbJj
  • Sunday June 21st | 2-4 PM - https://square.link/u/DV5RaPKm
  • Thursday June 25th | 5.30-7.30 PM - https://square.link/u/Lc5mFmZQ

Old State Capitol

• Saturday, May 9: Berries & Bubbly OSCF Fundraiser at the Old State Capitol 2:00-4:00 pm - Enjoy sparkling wine and cake with strawberries.  This is a ticketed event; tickets available from Old State Capitol Foundation https://www.oscfspi.com/event-details/berries-bubbly-2

• Sunday, May 10: Mother’s Day Brunch at the Old State Capitol, hosted by Bloom Wine Bar and Florals 10:00 am – 2:00 pm - Celebrate mom the Bloom way this year with our all-inclusive brunch! We will have a MULTI-SITE experience this year, expanding to the Old State Capitol! This is a ticketed event; tickets available at https://www.bloomspringfield.com/store/p162/Mother%27s_Day_Brunch_at_Bloom_%26_The_Old_State_Capitol.html.

• Saturday-Sunday, May 16-17: Old Capitol Art Fair, Saturday: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm and Sunday: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm - Set against the backdrop of the Illinois Old State Capitol building, attendees find the Springfield Old Capitol Art Fair to be a unique tradition of fine art. This event has brought artists and shoppers from across the country flocking to downtown Springfield’s two-day outdoor art gallery for over 60 years. More information at https://www.springfieldoldcapitolartfair.org/

Lincoln Tomb and State War Memorials

• Saturday-Sunday, May 2-3: Illinois Vietnam Veterans Memorial Annual Vigil. Opening Ceremony: Saturday, May 2, 10:00 am. Closing Ceremony: Sunday, May 3, 11:30 am. - Vigil is 24 hours, from noon on May 2 – noon on May 3. Each May, a group of Vietnam Veterans holds a 24-hour Vigil at the Illinois Vietnam Veterans Memorial, to honor those who died and those still unaccounted for. Honor Guards from throughout Illinois circle the Memorial, honoring Illinois' losses in the Vietnam War and showing their highest respect to their families. Everyone is invited to become part of this effort. The public is invited to attend the opening ceremony, which begins at 10:00 am on May 2, and the closing ceremony, which begins at 11:30 am on May 3. The Vigil will begin at noon on May 2, and conclude at noon on May 3; those wishing to show their support and respect are welcome to visit throughout the Vigil. For more information visit their website here: https://illinoisvvmav.org/home

• Saturday, May 23: The Gathering of the Bookalos: A Silent Book Club Springfield Historic Sites Edition Lincoln Tomb Residence, 3:00-4:30 PM - Want to carve out time to read but don't want the pressure to finish and discuss a specific book?  Want to learn what others are reading and low-key socialize? It sounds to us like you may be a Bookalo. The Gathering of the Bookalos is an off-site BYOBook Silent Book Club. There is no assigned reading, you just bring whatever book in whatever format you'd like and read it quietly alongside others who are doing the same thing. That's it. It's a time dedicated to quiet reading, learning about what others are reading, and hanging with folks out in the community. Reservations will be strongly recommended and will be available on the Lincoln Library website soon.

Partnership with the Lincoln Public Library

• Wednesday, May 13: History in Film - Join us at the Lincoln Library as we celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month with our History in Film collaboration.  We will talk about Asian American and Pacific Islander history in Illinois and enjoy a film together.  We have two sessions, each featuring a different film:
  • 1:00 PM – Join us for an animated musical adventure film about a young Polynesian girl on a quest to save her island (Rated PG)
  • 5:00 PM – Join us for a 1951 film about the Japanese American heroes of the 442^nd Regimental Combat Team who served in World War II (Not Rated)
• Library Website for More Info: 
  • https://www.lincolnlibrary.info/event/history-film-33448 (1:00). 
  • https://www.lincolnlibrary.info/event/history-film-go-broke-33449 (5:00).

Color, Craft, and Create Nights | Mondays: May 4, 11, 18

At 5:30  - 7 p.m.

This month we'll also be offering color, craft, and create nights each week at the Dana-Thomas House. Guests will need to provide their own materials. Please note, No event on May 25 – site closed for Memorial Day. More details can be found on our Eventbrite page for the event. Sign up on our Eventrbite page: https://DTHcolorcraftcreatenight.eventbrite.com

Game Nights | Wednesdays: May 6, 13, 20, 27

At 5:30 - 7 p.m.

Bring your family, friends and favorite board game to a table in one of the mansion’s historic rooms. Reservations required as tables are limited. Sign up on our Eventbrite page: https://dthgamenights.eventbrite.com/

Art Nights | Thursdays: May 7, 14, 21, 28 

At 5:30-7:30 PM

This month we will offer a number of art nights in partnership with Monica Zanetti of Wild Rose Artisans. Each week will be a different night from making Monarch Magic to Painting Your Friends. For more information on each event and to sign up, follow the link here: https://wildroseartisans.com/products/art-classes-dana-thomas-house

• May 7: Paint Your Friend, Date, or Partner! - Join me, Monica Zanetti, for a delightful evening where you'll unleash your artistic side and create a whimsical portrait of your friend! With 30 years of experience and a passion for vibrant brushstrokes, I’m excited to guide you in this two-hour class set in the stunning Dana Thomas House. Whether you’re a seasoned artist or picking up a brush for the first time, I’ll help you craft a colorful painting that captures the essence of friendship. Bring your favorite snacks, enjoy the company, and leave with a masterpiece you’ll be proud to display!    
• May 14: Monarch Magic - Immerse yourself in the beauty of nature by painting a graceful monarch butterfly with me, Monica Zanetti. This class is perfect for anyone looking to explore their creativity while enjoying the serene environment of the Dana Thomas House. Over the course of two hours, I’ll guide you step-by-step to create your very own butterfly masterpiece. My love for monarch butterflies and vibrant brushstrokes will inspire you as we create art in a fun, relaxed setting. Bring along a friend for an enjoyable evening of art and laughter!

• May 21: Mixed Media Collage: Unleash Your Creativity - Join me, Monica Zanetti, for an exciting Mixed Media Collage class on May 21st. This two-hour workshop will take place in the beautiful Dana Thomas House, where inspiration flows as freely as your creativity. Dive into the world of mixed media as we explore various materials, think papers, fabrics, paints, and more, to create a unique collage that reflects your personality and artistic vision. In this fun and relaxed setting, I’ll guide you through the process, providing tips and techniques to help you layer textures and colors effectively. No prior experience is necessary; just bring your enthusiasm and a willingness to experiment! You’ll leave with a striking piece of art that you can proudly display or gift to someone special.

• May 28: Sunflower/Girasol - Get ready to brighten your day with our Sunflower Painting class, led by Monica Zanetti. In just two hours, you’ll create a stunning sunflower that radiates joy and warmth. I’ve been showcasing my artwork nationwide and run the Wild Rose Artisan Gallery Boutique, where I represent 20 talented artists. This class is designed for all skill levels, and I’ll provide easy-to-follow instructions to help you craft a cheerful piece of art worthy of display. Feel free to bring a friend and enjoy a fun, creative evening together!

Evening Tours of the Dana-Thomas House | Tuesdays: May 5 and 12 and Fridays: May 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, 

At 5:30 and 6:30 p.m. 

Step into the Dana-Thomas house in the evenings for a different look at the house and its beautiful features as the sun goes down. Sign up here through https://danathomashousetours.eventbrite.com. 

Capitol Creations | Saturdays: May 2, 9, 23, 30 

At 1:00-3:00 PM

Create something special in our historic space, guided by our partners at Studio on 6^th, the Original Art Co-Op. Each week will offer a different art creation experience. Please note, there will be no class May 16. To sign up, as reservations are required, follow the link here: https://www.allpaintshop.com/

• May 2: Field of Flowers Paint Class 1:00-3:00 pm
• May 9: Gardening Class (cohosted by Bloom In and Studio on Sixth 11:00 am, 1:00 pm, 3:00 pm. Join Elisha from Bloom-In as she provides you with tips on how to start your own garden.
• May 23: Country Cow Paint Class 1:00-3:00 pm
• May 30: Barn Quilt Paint Class 1:00-3:00 pm

History Nights | May 2, 9, 16, 23, 30

At 5:00 p.m., 5:45 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. 

The Old State Capitol will be open for self-guided tours with short 20-minute presentations on weekly themes at the designated times. Sign up in advance on our eventbrite page: https://civilwarsaturdaysosc.eventbrite.com/

• May 2: Lincoln's Funeral in Springifeld 
• May 9: John Brown
• May 16: Andrew Johnson
• May 23: The Origins of Memorial Day
• May 30: The Kansas-Nebraska Act