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Women's History Month

Join us as we celebrate Illinois women during the month of March! All programs are free and open to the public.  Reservations are suggested for all programs; reservation links listed below.

Participants who register on Eventbrite and attend a program will receive a limited edition Women's History Month vinyl sticker.

Tours and Presentations

Moonchildren fountain at Dana-Thomas House. Concrete water fountain inside a building featuring a sculpture of children gathered around an urn, pouring water into a hexagonal pool. Concrete flower boxes on each side of fountain; geometric stained glass windows and doors behind fountain..

Saturday, March 9 and Saturday, March 16 - Marion Mahony & the Creation of a Capital

Dana-Thomas House, 1:00 and 3:00 pm

While the Dana-Thomas house is one of Frank Lloyd Wright’s masterpieces, numerous other individuals were involved with different aspects of designing the house. Among these is Marion Mahony, who was Frank Lloyd Wright’s first employee. Considered the first woman to be a professional architect, Mahony was involved in many other projects, including the planning of Australia’s capital city. More information and reservations available at https://MarionMahonyatDTH.eventbrite.com

An early 20th century woman (Susan Lawrence Dana)  stands outside the door of a building reading a document.

Fridays - March 15, 22, and 29 - Dana-Thomas House Women’s History Evening Tours

Dana-Thomas House, 5:00 and 6:00 pm

Enjoy an after-hours guided tour of the Dana House focusing on the home’s original owners, Mary Agnes Lawrence and Susan Lawrence Dana.  Learn how this mother and daughter worked with mothers and daughters across the nation, and what made their Frank Lloyd Wright-designed home an ideal platform on education, democracy and equal rights. More information and reservations available at https://DTHWomensHistoryTours.eventbrite.com

 

side-by-side portraits of two upper middle class women from the early 20th century - Susan Lawrence Dana and Kate Frazee Lindsay

Sunday, March 17 - Illinois Daughters Who Changed History 

Dana-Thomas House, 1:30 pm and 3:00 pm

Join us in the gallery of the Dana-Thomas House and get to know amazing Illinois women of the past as a site interpreter offers you a chance to examine rarely displayed documents and artifacts that tell their stories.  All ages welcome to this 1-hour program, however, it may be of most interest to ages 12 and older. More information and reservations available at  https://ILDaughtersWhoChangedHistory.eventbrite.com

Portrait of young Mary Lincoln wearing an elaborate flower print dress with wide hoop skirt, and a crown of flowers in her hair

Sunday, March 24 - Mary Lincoln: Springfield’s First Lady

Vachel Lindsay Home, 1:00 and 3:00 pm

The burden of being the First Lady rested on one of Springfield's own, Mary Lincoln. Through a life full of triumph and tragedy, Mary Lincoln used her passion for politics to change history and open doors for future generations of women. Join us at the Vachel Lindsay Home on March 24th to learn more about the tenacious Mary Lincoln, her service to community and country, and her role in preserving the Union. More information and reservations available at https://SpringfieldsFirstLady.eventbrite.com

Lunch and Learn Programs

A nineteenth century desk with books, papers and personal items scattered on it. A nineteenth century wooden chair is pushed in under the desk

Friday, March 15 - Lunch and Learn: Petticoat Politics

Lincoln-Herndon Law Office State Historic Site, Noon to 1 p.m. 

What do you think of when you think of women’s history? For many, they imagine suffragettes with bright colored sashes marching the streets for the right to vote, or later women who would occupy public office. However, before women could earn the right to vote, they had to earn the right to speak.  The women of the revolution and early republic paved the way for their daughters and granddaughters. Guests are welcome to bring a lunch to the program. More information and reservations available at https://PetticoatPoliticsLunchandLearn.eventbrite.com

A late nineteenth century 2-story house with a covered porch and two chimneys

Friday, March 22 and Friday, March 29 - Lunch and Learn: The White Cottage (Susan Lawrence Dana’s Other House)

Dana-Thomas House, Noon-1:00 pm

Bring a lunch and enjoy a picnic outside of the simple yet splendid white cottage that Susan Lawrence Dana also called her home. Learn what’s happening to uplift the history of this significant house that has stood in the shadow of the Dana-Thomas House for 120 years. In the event of inclement weather the program will be held inside the Dana-Thomas House. More information and reservations available at https://DTHCottageLunchandLearn.eventbrite.com

Youth and Family Programs

Early 20th century; young girl stands in a garden holding an umbrella and looking at hollyhock flowers

Saturday, March 23 - Timeless daughters: Springfield's Daughters Then and Now

Dana-Thomas House, 9:30-11:30 am

Enter our special “secret” garden in the Dana House courtyard to join us for fun activities, games and crafts that Springfield daughters of the past enjoyed. Choose a Springfield daughter whose interests are similar to yours and follow her story to learn about the woman she became. Activities are designed for people ages 12 and under to enjoy with a grown-up, however, all ages are welcome to attend. More information and reservations available at https://TimelessDaughtersYouthProgram.eventbrite.com

A young woman in the early 20th century sits at a desk, writing with a pen. Decorative Greek-style columns border the photo with a banner that says "The Days that Shall Follow."

Saturday, March 23 - Influencers for Change: Illinois Daughters Who Made a Difference

Dana-Thomas House, 1:30-3:30 pm

Join us at the Dana-Thomas House to learn about the original influencers of Illinois. Even as teenagers many of Illinois’ daughters were able to take a stand for change. Get to know them and join us for some fun and activities, including a photo booth where you can snap some photos for change too. Activities are designed for ages 11-16, however, all ages are welcome to attend. More information and reservations available at https://DaughtersWhoMadeaDifferenceYouthProgram.eventbrite.com

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