Urban Frontier Exhibit

The second exhibition in the Farrell and Ann Gay Museum of Springfield History, lower level of the Iles House, is "Springfield as Urban Frontier, 1818-1836." About 75 persons attended the opening on May 29, 2008 and heard remarks by Farrell Gay, Linda Garvert, and Curtis Mann.

The exhibit displays photographs, documents, maps, tools, and household items. One outstanding item is a map of early Springfield, based on John Stuart’s description of the town upon his horseback arrival in 1828. The map was researched by Linda Garvert and painted by Sophia Lang.

The display presents Springfield life between 1818 and 1836, the pre-Lincoln period. Springfield began as an isolated log-cabin village, at the northern edge of Illinois settlement and the western edge of the American frontier. A town began to emerge with a post office, frame and brick residences, professionals, merchants and tradesmen. Roads brought trade goods and settlers, and by 1836, Springfield had access to many East Coast refinements.

Research: Curtis Mann and Linda Garvert of the Sangamon Valley Collection, Lincoln Library, the Illinois State Museum, the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library, the Illinois Regional Archives Depository, Floyd Mansberger of Fever River Research, and artist Sonia Lang.

Design: Edward Russo and Corrine Frisch of Sangamon Researchers.

Grant: Farrell and Ann Gay.

The Urban Frontier exhibit will run until October 1, 2008. The public may view it on Wednesdays and Saturdays, 12-4 pm.

Pictures by Dick Hart

SSH on the Move

Alumni of UIS are taking an interest in the Strawbridge-Shepherd House.
At this May gathering, Tom Bundy displays a model of the roof installation.
Mary Caroline Mitchell, UIS Alumni Association, arranged the program.
We welcome donations from alumni and friends to further our work.

Two members of the SS House committee at work in the northeast room.
Caroline Oxtoby (l) and Sue Massie (r) welcome all volunteers.
Call the Iles House (see above) if you want to help.

Pictures by Dick Hart

Spring at SSH

Strawbridge-Shepherd House (SSH) is a busy place this spring. In May the UIS Alumni Association will hold two educational seminars on the grounds. SSH volunteers will discuss the history, ongoing restoration, and future of the building and site. In early June a Reception will introduce community leaders to the project. Later in the year, the house will host a community-wide open house and the second annual Old Settlers Day.

Strawbridge-Shepherd House lies between the UIS and LLCC campuses along Shepherd Road. The Iles House Foundation directs restoration of the 1845 homestead, located on UIS property.

Work to date has progressed steadily. Funded by several generous donations and small grants, restoration expert Tom Bundy rebuilt much of the foundation, underpinned the structure, and installed a new wood shingle roof. Several student and community volunteers have assisted with the project.

Restoration this year will focus on major systems within the house and finishing work on the interior. We urgently need assistance in the form of contributions, donations, volunteer time, etc. If you can help, please call Sue Massie at 217-544-3210.

The Real McCoy

Did you know....that the "real McCoy" was born in Sangamon County, Illinois? Joseph McCoy (1831-1915) later emigrated to Texas, where he became a cattle baron. He promoted the Longhorn (see above), turned Abilene into a cow town, and sent two million head to Chicago in four years, a feat that spawned the "real McCoy" phrase. McCoy wrote a history of his achievements, not published until 1974.

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.

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

Prairie Archives

One of Springfield's great cultural gems is Prairie Archives, launched by John Paul in 1971. This classic book store has become a fixture on the south side of the Old State Capitol Plaza. A recent story in the Chicago Tribune pays tribute to the store and its long tradition of serving history buffs who visit Springfield from all parts of the world.

Picture courtesy of Jerome Prophet, a current Springfield blog.

1860 Ball

An 1860-period ball was held at
the Executive Mansion on
Saturday, Feb 9, 2008.
The State Journal-Register
has a gallery of 11 pictures, all by
Ted Schurter of the SJR staff.

Holiday Book Signing

On December 19, 2007, Iles House hosted the Sangamon County Historical Society. Members took a house tour and heard talks by contributors to In Lincoln’s Shadow, a new book that presents stories by 43 persons who have family plots at Oak Ridge Cemetery.

Not just food for the mind: Phyllis Eubanks and Jone VanWinkle present a holiday spread of cookies and brownies, served with hot and cold cider.

Edith Trutter Hauff, daughter of John Trutter, 1st president of SCHS, speaks about his life. He was a veteran of WW II, a retired vice-president of AT&T, and chancellor of the Lincoln Academy for 16 years.

Ida Mae Johnson (center) is one of the book contributors. She brought family pictures to share, including one of her grandmother, who was a slave in Missouri and moved to Illinois after the Civil War. Behind Ida Mae are her daughters, Myra (left) and Kris (right).

Ida Mae Johnson shows some of her photos to the group, assisted by Nancy Chapin, treasurer of the SCHS. In the background is Martha Woods Wolters, contributor to In Lincoln’s Shadow, who later shared more Woods family stories.

Audience, left to right: Nancy Chapin, Ida Johnson, Dr. Gil Pilapil (chair of the book project), Pat Rudolph and Phyllis Herndon Brissendon (both contributors) and Carolyn Moore, president of the SCHS. In the background is Arnold Stern, also a contributor.

Signed copies of the book are available from the SCHS web site.

Pictures by Dick Hart; captions by Jane Chapin.

Maisenbacher House

The Maisenbacher House, a classic brick Italian home of the 1850s, sits on South 7th Street and is a place that Mr. Lincoln knew in his daily life. Now its survival is threatened by development of the Springfield Clinic. As this photo indicates, initial dismantling of the building occurred this fall.

Many forces in the community have rallied to oppose this attack on the Aristocracy Hill neighborhood, from the Springfield Historical Sites Commission to private citizens like Job Conger.

Discussions are underway between the Clinic and several groups, including the Iles House Foundation, about preserving the Maisenbacher. If you think Springfield should save its heritage, not tear it down, please lend your voice. Leave comments here, write to the Journal-Register, or call the Iles House Foundation--at the number above.

Fall Candlelight Tours

Elijah and Malinda Iles welcomed about 400 guests into their home for candlelight tours on the evenings of Oct 26 & 27.

Visitors were guided throughout the home, learning about its architecture and construction, its many famous guests, its various owners as well as its two relocations and the efforts made over the years for its preservation.

Dave Stevens uses his cane to point out the many features and fine details of the house.

Visitors ascend the stairway to the upper story to tour the bedrooms and see more period furniture and antiques from the Barringer Collection and other donors.

Dave Barringer guides a group of visitors through the upper story. After touring the historic areas of the house, guests were invited to the basement for fresh baked cookies, hot chocolate and cider.

Photos by Logan McMinn

A Magical Day

Old Settler's Day was a huge success, beyond everyone's dreams. More than 1,000 visitors attended the 4-hour gathering on Oct 20, a perfect fall day of clear skies and bright sunshine.

The visitors took away so many memories, from a horse and cart carrying riders along the prairie grass. . .

. . . to a concert of Civil War-era music by the Illinois Cavalry Band. Guests sat on straw bales before the Strawbridge-Shepherd House, its exterior newly restored and trimmed.

At Mrs. Shepherd's Pantry, volunteers sold donated pumpkins, preserves, pies and cakes. All proceeds will benefit phase 2 of the restoration, set to continue in 2008.

Big surprise of the day: arrival of the Shepherd Family, three generations from Knoxville, Iowa. They told stories about life in the house, described its rooms and furniture, and volunteered to provide more assistance in the future.

Years ago, Old Settlers Day was a tradition to honor those who settled in Springfield before the Winter of 1830-31. Several descendants of those pioneers attended yesterday and told their stories. All the organizers agree: it was a magical day, full of generosity and happiness, giving life once more to a bygone era.

Pictures by Dick Hart
Memories by R-Lou Barker

Fall Festivals

This fall has been festive for the

Iles House Foundation
and its growing circle of friends.

Oct. 11: Springfield Polka Club dances at a nursing home
and holds a pizza party at the Iles House.

Oct 15: Mark McDonald, host of Illinois Story on WSEC,
films a segment on SS House for airing Oct 18-22.
Here, he interviews R-Lou Barker about early bone china.

Oct 19: a reception at Iles House to benefit the SS House.
Kerry Franke readies the oyster bar for Betty Franke and Tom Bundy.
Tom is restoration director at the Strawbridge-Shepherd House.

Old Settler's Day!

Fall Work at SS House

With the arrival of fall, we have completed
Stage 1 of restoring the Strawbridge-Shepherd House.
Next, we must button down the house for winter
and raise funds for Stage 2.

Here, the fund-raising committee works at plans
for a large October Event. More news of that soon!

Ongoing work: replacing the roof with cedar shingles
and restoring the original shutters to the windows.
Note the classic Greek Revival look of the front face.

Our restoration contractor, Tom Bundy,
measures the original basement opening.

Also planned: extensive tree work to remove
dead or dying limbs. The trees are nearly
as old as the house!

All pictures by R-Lou Barker of Springfield.

New Citizens

On September 7, 2007,
Ann and Dick Hart attended
a Citizenship Ceremony
held in the Old State Capitol.

Seated in the House of Representatives,
candidates for citizenship await
the entry of Judge Jean Scott.

The candidates swear allegiance to
the United States of America
before the clerk of the District Court.

The new citizens receive
certificates and greetings from
Judge Scott, Judge Holmes, and the Clerk.

The Harts' friend, Maritza Monk,
formerly of Mexico City,
just prior to becoming a
United States Citizen.

Pictures by Dick Hart.

Lincoln Film

Early in August, the Iles House became a movie set.
The film depicts the life of Abraham Lincoln
and is using several historic Springfield locations.

The cast consists of many Iles House docents
and re-enactors from the 114th Civil War Regiment.
Here, they are in costume and waiting for their close-ups.

Abe and Mary Lincoln, preparing for a shot.
Technicians "smoked" the set to soften the light.

On the front porch, technicians check still images
for the balance of color and light.

The ladies of 1858, getting ready for a scene.
The movie will play at the Lincoln Library and Museum.
Release is expected in early 2008.

Lincoln Highway

Click on map to enlarge.

The Lincoln Highway was America's first coast-to-coast road, passing through 14 states on a journey of 5,869 miles, from New York to California. As a young Army officer, Dwight Eisenhower traveled it in 1919, and that experience inspired his later call for a federal Interstate highway system.

You may still travel the road, and a Lincoln Highway Association exists to preserve and publicize. Check out that site for a description of the Illinois section. Might make a good auto trip for early fall. Here's a book site with many photos of the highway today.

SS House Restoration

Dick Hart recently visited the SS House site to check on its progress.

Replacing the old roof and shingles.

Repairing the stone foundation.

Replacing sills and studs.

View from east side.
Original house to right, ell to left.

Pictures by Richard Hart

SS House Again

More pictures by R-Lou Barker of restoration work at Strawbridge-Shepherd House.

Concrete blocks, original stones, new sills.

Timbers for use as sills or beams.

Five-acre prairie behind the house.

Original barn, to the rear.