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.

4th of July Programming:

• Tie-Dye 250: Youth ages 5-15 can celebrate our nation’s 250^th birthday by creating a patriotic tie-dye shirt. Reservations Suggested (20 kids per session). Sizes Available: Child Medium, Adult Medium and Adult Large. Old State Capitol North Lawn (Law Library if needed due to weather). Two sessions available at 10:00 - 11:30 AM or 2:30 - 4:00 PM. To register your spot, sign up through Eventbrite: https://TieDye250.eventbrite.com

• Donner-Reed Party: Manifest Dreams: Learn about the Donner-Reed Party’s reasons for leaving for Springfield, their dreams for the future and what they hoped to accomplish on their journey west. No reservations needed. Old State Capitol North Lawn (Supreme Court if needed due to weather). 12:00 - 1:00 PM. If you would like to register for this event, sign up through Eventbrite: https://ManifestDreamsOSC.eventbrite.com

• July 4^th Family Day at the Old State Capitol:
  • Make-and-take Art projects: America 250 art kits available while supplies last. Coloring Sheets and Eagle Finger puppet crafts available. 
  • Capitol Creations Make & Take/Take & Make Projects: 1:00-3:00 PM, offered by Studio on Sixth (no reservations needed, this will just be a walk-up and purchase a project from the choices available event). 
  • History Comes Alive:
    • Lincoln Troubadours at 11:30, 3:30
    • Lincoln LIVE: 
      • Noon: Gettysburg Address
      • 3:30: House Divided Speech
  • Living History Night
    • 5:30: Custodian of Freedom: William H. Butler’s Story
    • 6:30: Frederick Douglass, Abolitionist & Orator
• Dana-Thomas House Specialty Tours:
  • July 4, 10:00 AM: Attention to Detail Tour. Join us for an in-depth tour of the Dana-Thomas House, focusing on the details of Frank Lloyd Wright's design. 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. The tour will last approximately 2 hours, depending on guest questions and discussion. There is no cost for the tour, but donations to support the site are suggested. https://AttentionToDetailDanaThomasHouse.eventbrite.com
  • July 4, 1:00 PM: Of Glass and Wood Tour. Join us for this in-depth look at the incredible furniture and art glass of Frank Lloyd Wright's Dana-Thomas House. 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. The tour will last approximately 2 hours, depending on guest questions and discussion. There is no cost for the tour, but donations to support the site are suggested. https://OfGlassAndWoodDanaThomasHouse.eventbrite.com

Three Hot Days in August: The Springfield 1908 Race Riot

• August 13, 14, 15 (Thursday, Friday, Saturday): 1908 Race Riot Walking Tour, 9:30 AM - Walk downtown Springfield streets with a guide and learn about the weekend in August 1908 when violent mobs terrorized Springfield’s African-American citizens. We will share stories not only of hatred and devastation but of courage and resilience in the face of concerted attack. Tour leaders will present difficult history truthfully but with sensitivity; time is allowed for questions and conversation. This urban walking tour requires a little over one hour of walking and standing. The 1908 Race Riot Walking Tour is offered in conjunction with Springfield's three-day citywide commemoration, Three Hot Days in August. Meet at Lincoln statues on Adams Plaza (at Sixth Street).

Dana-Thomas House

• 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

• Saturdays, June 6 and June 27 ONLY: 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.

• Saturday, June 6: Attention to Detail: A Dana-Thomas House Specialty Tour, 10:00 AM - Join us for an in-depth tour of the Dana-Thomas House, focusing on the details of Frank Lloyd Wright's design. 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. The tour will last approximately 2 hours, depending on guest questions and discussion. There is no cost for the tour, but donations to support the site are suggested. Reservations are required and are available through Eventbrite.

• Saturday, June 6: Of Glass and Wood: A Dana-Thomas House Specialty Tour, 1:00 PM - Join us for this in-depth look at the incredible furniture and art glass of Frank Lloyd Wright's Dana-Thomas House. 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. The tour will last approximately 2 hours, depending on guest questions and discussion. There is no cost for the tour, but donations to support the site are suggested. Reservations are required and are available through Eventbrite. 

• Saturday, June 20: Jazz in Bloom, 6:00-9:00 pm - Annual fundraiser for the Dana-Thomas House Foundation, featuring music, food and a silent auction.  Tickets required; purchase tickets at https://members.dana-thomas.org/ap/Events/Register/NaFlWQmCYCaCm

• Saturdays from June 13 - August 8: Art Glass into Tie Dye, 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM - Youth ages 5-15 and their parents/guardians are invited to join us for this new program to learn about the colors and designs found in the Dana-Thomas House. After taking a short tour through the house to explore Frank Lloyd Wright's art glass designs, your guide will lead you to the courtyard where youth will choose their favorite art glass colors and tie dye their own "Everyone Belongs" shirt! For more information and how to sign up, visit Eventbrite.

Old State Capitol

• Friday, June 12: Lunch and Learn with Nikole Hannah-Jones, 11:00 am – 1:00 pm - More information coming soon.

• Opening Friday, June 12: NOIR 6: The Truth - Curated by Austin Wells and co-curated by Jaliyah Ross, this years’ exhibit connects past struggles with present realities while envisioning more equitable futures. These works encourage audiences to reflect on how art can both record history and actively participate in shaping it. NOIR VI: The Truth invites audiences to engage, thoughtfully, with the histories and perspectives that shape our shared cultural TRUTHS.

• Friday, June 12: Juneteenth Family Day Celebration, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm - The Illinois State Museum and State Historic Sites invite you to join us for our Juneteenth Family Day Celebration. Throughout the day, we will enjoy art, explore history, engage with Illinois state agency partners, and share in the spirit of freedom, unity, and identity. This special occasion also celebrates the opening of ISM’s sixth annual Noir art exhibition, highlighting powerful original works by artists of color from Illinois. This program will be held at Old State Capitol State Historic Sites, located at 1 Old State Capitol Plaza. This program is free to attend, and all are welcome. This program is in partnership with Juneteenth, Inc. https://www.facebook.com/share/17iPQnEcY4/

• Saturday, June 20: 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 are available on the Lincoln Library website here: https://www.lincolnlibrary.info/event/gathering-bookalos-silent-book-club-25766

Illinois Governor's Mansion

• Thursday, June 11: Evening Tour of the Illinois Governor's Mansion - More information coming soon

Read, Reflect, and Create Night | Mondays: June 1, 8, 15, 22, 29

At 5:30  - 7:30 p.m.

Enjoy a relaxing evening in the peaceful atmosphere of the Dana House.  Bring a book to read, bring your journal or sketchbook and reflect on the day, bring your current craft project and create, or use our materials to try our featured craft project.  You are also welcome to bring your own light snacks and non-alcoholic beverages. Free and open to all ages; reservations are suggested at https://dthreadreflectcreatenight.eventbrite.com

Game Nights | Wednesdays: June 3, 10, 17, 24

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. Guests are also welcome to bring light snacks and non-alcoholic beverages. Free and open to all ages; reservations required as tables are limited. Sign up on our Eventbrite page: https://dthgamenights.eventbrite.com/

Art Nights | Thursdays: June 4, 11, 18, 25

At 5:30-7:30 PM

This month we will offer a number of art nights in partnership with both Studio on 6th and Ceramics by Rosie. Classes on June 4 and 18 will be hosted by Studio on 6th and June 11 and 25 will be hosted by Ceramics by Rosie. For more information on each event and to sign up, follow the links here: 

• https://www.ceramicsmadebyrosie.com/paintapot
• https://square.link/u/WZGzsCMm (Faux Stained Glass Class, Studio on 6th)
• https://tinyurl.com/ggdthwg (Giggles and Glasses Class, Studio on 6th)

Date Night at the Dana-Thomas House | Fridays: June  5, 12, 19, 26

At 5:30-7:30 PM

Tour the Dana House with your friend, date or partner.  Enjoy light refreshments and a special film presentation during your visit. Reservations are required and are available at https://DateNightatDTH.eventbrite.com

Capitol Creations | Saturdays June 6, 13, 20, 27

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. To sign up, as reservations are required, follow the link here: https://square.link/u/r949aTJu

Living History Nights | Saturdays from June 6 - August 8

At 5:00-7:00 PM

Explore the building on a self-guided tour and participate in two living history programs. More information and optional reservations available at https://historynightsosc.eventbrite.com

• 5:30 PM: Custodian of Freedom: William Butler’s Capitol Tour
• 6:00 PM: Frederick Douglass: Abolitionist & Orator visits Springfield