Monday, April 28, 2008

Scouts visit Elijah Iles House


Dozens of Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts from all over Illinois visited the Elijah Iles House during their visit to Springfield for the 63rd Annual Lincoln Pilgimage. One troop came all the way from Davenport, Iowa.

The scouts learned all about frontier-era Springfield during their visit and the kind of place the town was when Abraham Lincoln first arrived. The new museum exhibit in the basement was of particular interest to many.

The scouts had their choice of many historic sites to visit in Springfield. We were thrilled that so many of them chose to include the Iles House in their itinerary.

Sunday, April 06, 2008

Robert Irwin Portrait

Chase Bank, formerly Marine Bank, recently gave to Iles House a portrait of Robert Irwin, early Springfield merchant and friend of Abraham Lincoln. Irwin lived at Iles House from 1841 until his death. He was a director of Springfield Fire and Marine Insurance Company, and he helped to finance Lincoln's presidential campaign in 1860.

During Lincoln's term of office, Irwin collected local debts owed to the President. A month before the assassination, Irwin died on March 8, 1865. He is buried in Oak Ridge Cemetery, at the north end of Springfield. His oil portrait is believed to be the work of American artist George Peter Alexander Healy (1808-1894).

Photos: Richard Hart