State Historic Sites at Springfield, IL

Every room in the house is hosting families and friends for our weekly game night! Don’t miss these free programs every Wednesday now thru mid November for 2026. Check out Eventbrite for reservations or message us with questions.

Every room of the mansion is hosting families and friends who are enjoying our weekly game night! Don’t miss these opportunities every Wednesday now thru mid November for 2026. Sign up on Eventbrite or message us if you have questions.

Would you rather read the book or watch the movie? For Springfield writer and film critic Vachel Lindsay, the answer was both - and you can do both with us this week! If you'd prefer to make a creative project instead, we have opportunities for that too.

📖Monday, September 14: Bring your book, journal or craft project and join us from 5:30-7:30 pm for Read, Reflect and Create Night at the Dana-Thomas House. Reservations are available at https://dthreadreflectcreatenight.eventbrite.com

🎬Wednesday, September 16: Make your way to Lincoln Library, The Public Library of Springfield, IL at 5:00 pm and join us for a film and a discussion of Vachel Lindsay. More info is available at https://www.lincolnlibrary.info/event/history-film-dead-poets-society-33450

🌿Thursday, September 17: Build a terrarium with Mimi's Terrariums during Art Nights at the Dana-Thomas House. Reservations are required at https://www.mimisterrariums.com/

Images: a copy of Vachel Lindsay's "The Golden Book of Springfield" in front of the Dana-Thomas House; Vachel Lindsay's "The Art of the Moving Picture" and "The Golden Book of Springfield" stacked on his desk in the Vachel Lindsay Home.

Illinois Department of Natural Resources Illinois State Museum Visit Springfield Dana-Thomas House Foundation Downtown Springfield Heritage Foundation My Heart's Downtown Springfield, IL Downtown Springfield LIVE Calendar Vachel Lindsay Association

Did you know the natural flyway for Monarch Butterflies in Illinois is Route 66? And that Route 66 turns 100 years old this year? Join us TODAY (Saturday, September 12) at the Illinois State Fairgrounds as we celebrate Illinois' state insect, and everyone's favorite garden visitor, the Monarch Butterfly and Route 66’s centennial! Enjoy FREE games, activities, giveaways, and more from 2- 6 pm at this family-friendly event - rain or shine!

🦋2-6 pm: enjoy games, activities, giveaways; native plant giveaways
🦋4 pm: butterfly release
🦋5 pm: story time
🦋6-8 pm: bring your lawn chairs and enjoy a free outdoor movie

Event sponsors include the Illinois State Museum, Illinois Department of Agriculture, and the Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway.

Images: a monarch butterfly lands on a plant near the Dana-Thomas House; flyer for the Route 66 Monarch Butterfly Festival

Illinois Department of Natural Resources Visit Springfield Dana-Thomas House Foundation The Old State Capitol Foundation

Art Night at the Dana-Thomas House is always a great time, and we enjoyed learning about watercolor techniques for painting wood textures with Carolyn Owen Sommer last night. Next week (September 17), Mimi’s Terrariums will join us for a Make Your Own Terrarium Workshop. Be sure to reserve your spot so you can join us at https://www.mimisterrariums.com

Image: Carolyn Owen Sommer leads a watercolor class in the gallery of the Dana-Thomas House

Illinois Department of Natural Resources Illinois State Museum Dana-Thomas House Foundation Downtown Springfield, Inc. My Heart's Downtown Springfield, IL Visit Springfield

In just a few weeks, we'll be celebrating the birthday of Susan Lawrence Dana (b. October 13, 1862), original owner of what is now the Dana-Thomas House State Historic Site. You can celebrate with us by participating in the first-ever Susan Lawrence Dana Lego Brick Building Competition.

The juried competition will honor Dana’s legacy as an advocate for the arts, design and craftsmanship while encouraging creativity among builders of all ages. Selected entries will be displayed inside the historic Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Dana-Thomas House.

Read the full news release here: https://www.illinois.gov/news/release.html?releaseid=32918
Read the guidelines and learn how you can enter the competition here: https://bit.ly/4xG2o2v

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is not affiliated with the Lego Group and this event is not authorized, sponsored or endorsed by the Lego Group. For more information about the competition, email [email protected].

Images: A Lego minifigure representing Susan Lawrence Dana stands in front of a Lego model of the Dana-Thomas House designed and built by Terry L. Taylor of Springfield and donated to the site in 2010; historic image of Susan Lawrence Dana standing in front of her Frank Lloyd Wright designed home.

Illinois Department of Natural Resources Illinois State Museum Visit Springfield Dana-Thomas House Foundation Downtown Springfield Heritage Foundation My Heart's Downtown Springfield, IL