Strawberry & Lawn Party

History Comes Alive

From June 15th to August 15th: It’s happening before your very eyes, it’s everywhere, it’s 7 days a week … and best of all it’s FREE! This summer, History TRULY Comes Alive in Downtown Springfield!

For the first time ever, the entire historic downtown and surrounding historical sites will be brimming with live performances and fun activities that will completely transport you back in time to the Springfield Abraham Lincoln knew and loved. Featuring storytelling and interaction with costumed interpreters, period musical performances, and even appearances by Mr. Lincoln himself, this is one trip to the past you won’t want to miss!

Listen, for instance, as Abe gives his heartfelt first Inaugural Address on the steps of the Old State Capitol. Or put yourself and your kids at the hub of Civil War action at the authentic Medical Encampment Reenactment. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself lunching next to a couple of nineteenth century ladies at their favorite bistro in the afternoon. Then, catch a fly ball at a vintage-style base ball game. And to top off the perfect day, let a refreshing scoop of ice cream melt on your tongue as the sun sets over Downtown Springfield.

To start planning your visit now, download the “History Comes Alive” brochure and full schedule of events. You’ll be astounded at the sheer number and variety of events—something new is happening everyday and every week, so plan your visit for several days to get the full experience! Feel free to give us a call at 800-545-7300 for more information.

A River Runs Through It

The historic sections of The Elijah Iles House were untouched by the May 26th flood thanks to the raised cottage design. The modern lower level did not fare as well, though. New kitchen cabinets will be needed as well as new drywall and insulation for the lower 18 inches. The flooring also probably will have to be replaced.

The Great Flood

7th & Cook, May 26, 2010

Springfield received 4.5 inches of rain in 4 hours.

The Iles House lower level flooded up to 2 feet.

That's where we hold social and museum events.

Board members and friends are now at work,

Removing cabinets, dry wall, and insulation.

We hope to be open to the public soon.

Strawberry Party at the Iles House

Clara Irwin invites you to the Annual Strawberry and Lawn Party at the Elijah Iles House on Friday, July 2 from 6:30 to 9:00.

Kick off the Independence Day weekend in true patriotic fashion while you enjoy fresh strawberry desserts and other food and fun. Relax in the garden, tour the house and enjoy the company of friendly neighbors. The annual Strawberry Party is always the most popular and well attended event of the year at the Iles House.

Watch for news on a special program this year.

Mourning Days

The 145th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s death on April 15, 1865 is being commemorated at Springfield’s Elijah Iles House, which will be draped in period mourning decorations from his death date on April 15 to the anniversary of his final funeral service on May 4.

“Mourning Days at the Elijah Iles House” is sponsored by The Elijah Iles House Foundation, which has established a tradition of draping the Iles House for the Lincoln death and funeral anniversary dates. As was the custom at the time of Lincoln’s death, the front porch of the house is draped in black and purple bunting.

President Abraham Lincoln’s 1865 funeral procession in Springfield passed the Lincoln Home, proceeded along Cook Street from Eighth to Fourth streets, and passed on the north side of the Iles House, then the Robert Irwin residence, when it was located at its original site. Elijah Iles served as one of the pall bearers, and the 69-year-old Iles walked the route to Oak Ridge Cemetery with the other mourners on what was a very warm May day.



From the History of Sangamon County, Illinois, published in 1881 -

“Amid all the rejoicing over the evacuation of Richmond, the capture of Lee, and the other Union victories, the startling intelligence was flashed across the continent that President Lincoln was assassinated. . . The news was received in Springfield at a very early hour on the morning of the 15th of April, and spread rapidly across the city. Citizens began to gather upon the streets, listening to the dispatches, or discussing the horrible details. . . . Before 8 o’clock the news had spread generally through the city. The business houses which had been opened were, by common consent, closed almost immediately . . .

“Soon after the death of President Lincoln became known, the principal business houses were draped in mourning. Flags were draped and placed at half mast, and various other emblems of the general sorrow were displayed. Among the buildings draped were the State House, and offices of the different State officers; the headquarters of General Cook, commanding the district, of General Oakes, Assistant Provost Marshall of the District; the hall of the Fenian Brotherhood and Union League; the Postoffice, the chambers of the City Council, all the business houses on the public square and the principal streets, the principal hotels, churches, the houses of the different fire companies, newspaper offices and the Soldiers’ Home. In many cases black was gracefully intertwined with white or the National colors. Much the larger portion of private houses were similarly draped, or bore some emblem of mourning. The bells of the different churches and engine houses were tolled during the morning. At the State Arsenal the cannon were tastefully draped with the American flag, and over the entrance the stars and stripes were artistically arranged and draped in mourning, whilst from the flagstaff floated a dark colored pennant at half mast. The whole city presented a funeral aspect, as if the Death Angel had taken a member from every family. . . .

“A meeting of the City Council was held in the morning, and in response to a call issued in the course of the forenoon, a very large and solemn meeting of citizens assembled at the State House to take into consideration the terrible calamity that had befallen the city and Nation. At 12 o’clock, m., the meeting was called to order by Hon. S.M. Cullom, who said:

“’ Fellow Citizens: -- We are met together to mourn over a great calamity. Abraham Lincoln, your fellow citizen, who went out from this city four years ago, called by the American people to preside over the Nation, is no more. He has been stricken down by the hands of a dastardly, bloody assassin. In view of the long acquaintance, and the sympathy existing between that great and good man and our fellow citizen, J. K. Dubois, I nominate him to preside over our meeting.’

“The nomination was unanimously confirmed by the meeting, and upon assuming the chair, Mr. Dubois spoke briefly and pertinently, alluding to the long and friendly intercourse between himself and the lamented dead.

“The following named were chosen Vice Presidents of the meeting: Stephen T. Logan, John Williams, William F. Elkin, Elijah Iles, N. H. Ridgely, E. B. Hawley, Thomas Condell, James L. Lamb, Gershom Jayne, Richard Latham, A. G. Herndon, Rev. Albert Hale, and Rev. J. G. Bergen. For Secretaries, were chosen James C. Conkling, E. L. Baker, and E. L. Merritt."

Sugar Creek Tour

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Dinner and Auction

Mrs. Elijah Iles

Cordially Invites You To A Soiree

Celebrating Spring and the 214th Birthday

Of Elijah Iles

Saturday, March 27, 2010

6:00 p. m.

At Her Residence

Seventh and Cook Streets

Dinner and Silent Auction

$100.00 per person

Reservations close on March 22

Mail checks to: Elijah Iles Foundation

P. O. Box 144

Springfield, Illinois 62705

Note on Silent Auction

Donors may take items to

Paris Cleaners, 1013 East Ash

during store hours:

7:00 a. m. until 4:30 p. m.

Saturdays, until 12 noon.

You will be given a receipt and the items

will be stored in the Paris vault until the event.

Bette Franke, Chair

Contact:

R. S. V. P. (217) 523-4006

bettefranke@comcast.net

Linda Cunningham

Linda D. Cunningham, 60, of Springfield died at 2:58 p.m. on Thursday, February 4, 2010, at Regency Nursing Care Residence.

She was born January 1, 1950, in Tuscola, Illinois, to Floyd G. and Josephine A. Crafton Henson. She married James Patrick Cunningham on May 19, 1990; and he survives her.

She is also survived by her son, Tyson W. Fair and 2 grandchildren, Kylie and Cole Fair, all of Springfield; 2 sisters, JoEllyn (A.G.) Spencer of Springfield and Phyllis Henson of Charleston; 2 brothers, Bill (Pam) Henson and Monte (Racel) Henson, both of Charleston; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents and 4 brothers Ray, Floyd, Bud and James Allen Henson.

Linda began working for the State Journal-Register in 1985 and retired in 2008 as classified advertising manager. She was a docent for the Elijah Iles House and volunteer for the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum. Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. Monday, February 8, 2010, at Staab Funeral Home. Funeral service at 11 a.m. Tuesday, February 9, 2010, at Staab Funeral Home, with Reverend John E. Nelson officiating.

Old Settlers Day, Oct 24

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House Garden

As fall approaches, it's time to salute the

Iles House Garden, maintained by

Gary Lazar, the Master Gardener 

who has tended it in recent years.

The garden wraps around the rear of the House,

forming a graceful arc of grasses and flowers.

The boardwalk provides a view from many angles.

No better spot to walk or rest

Before winter comes around again.

Pictures by Dick Hart

Illinois Success Story

Photo by Marek Jochec

Great story in the New York Times about a family farm in Fairbury, IL.

Instead of raising large row-crops for agri-business harvest,

They are growing speciality produce for city restaurants.

Result is less abuse of land, better profits, more control of income.

Would love to see more of this in central Illinois!

Summer Time

Summer activities at Iles House include electing one board and painting others (on the porch, that is). Here are the board members for 2009-10, left to right:

Carolyn Oxtoby, Dave Barringer, Dave Stevens, Sue Campton, Treasurer, Curtis Mann, Secretary, Dave Steckel, Ed Mahoney, Al Eck, Sue Massie, Vice President, Kevin Lust, President, Dick Hart, Logan McMinn (Not pictured:  Will Howarth, Linda Denk, Bob Sherman.)

On June 14, 2009, volunteers painted the front porch of the Iles House. Left to right:  George Souther, Ron Orme, Logan McMinn, Tim Souther and Lary Stevens. In front, Sharon Stevens Robinson and two young ladies, Abby Stevens and Lilly Robinson.

If you'd like to volunteer to help at Iles House, call the number listed above.

Pictures and story by Dick Hart.

Abe Lincoln Observer

A new blog, the Abraham Lincoln Observer,

is now online. Written by Mike Kienzler,

metro editor of the State Journal-Register,

it features a "Springfield-centric" view

of our 16th president in today's popular culture. 

Homeschool Network visit

On May 19, the Iles House hosted the St. Louis Homeschool Network.  53 students and some parents visited the House as a part of an outing to Springfield.

Students sign the guest register in the center hall.

Linda Garvert gives a tour of the southwest front room, often frequented by Abraham Lincoln.

David Stevens gives a tour of the northwest front room, showing an early Springfield glass bottle from the Barringer Collection.

Farrell Gay gives a tour of his Illinois Watch collection in the Museum of Springfield History.

Later the students went to for Washington Park for a picnic and tour of the Carrilon, then on to a tour of the Illinois State Museum. Susan Baenwald of St. Louis arranged the visit.

Pictures and story: Dick Hart

Spring at SS House

A spring committee meeting at Strawbridge-Shepherd House.  Above, the executive committee members are seated on the south lawn. From left to right: Carol Dyson, R-Lou Barker, David Barrows, Sue Massie and Carolyn Oxtoby.

Professor William Siles of the UIS History department is an authority on 19th-century material culture. He was conducting his last class of the semester at the House.

Here, Prof. Siles and his class meet beside the summer kitchen, with a spring prairie view in the background.

We are making great progress on restoration of the House. Volunteers are always welcome. Call or write the Iles House Foundation at the addresses posted above.

Pictures and captions by Dick Hart

Days of Mourning

Once again the Iles House will be draped in mourning

to honor the death of Abraham Lincoln.

He died 144 years ago this week.

The House will wear drapes from April 14 to May 5.

Iles House is open for tours Wed & Sat, 12 to 4 pm.
Update: see the Lincoln Memorial Diary at the NY Times.

Photo by Richard Hart

This Place Matters

The National Trust for Historic Preservation invites you to tell about a place that matters through its This Places Matters campaign.  

The campaign helps people call attention to special places in their community before they are endangered -- the small, famous and infamous, and even some relatively obscure, that collectively represent the nation's cultural consciousness.

Simply visit www.PreservationNation.org/thisplacematters to download a This Place Matters sign, take a picture or make a video at the place that matters to you and post it to our slide show.  Don't have a picture?  Plant your flag on our This Place Matters Google map.

So celebrate a place you love, sound an alarm about a place that is threatened or just start a conversation about places that matter.

Hard Times

A story today in the New York Times

reports that the Museum of Funeral Customs,

located near the entrance to Oak Ridge Cemetery,

is having financial trouble and may close.

In Love with Lincoln?

The artist Maira Kalman has published in the New York Times a portfolio of drawings and texts designed to explain, in a whimsical fashion, her fascination with the life and character of Abraham Lincoln.

Some of the panels include a visit to Springfield and seeing Lincoln's tomb, meeting a Lincoln presenter, and eating at a Lincoln diner. Kalman has written and illustrated many children's books, and this project is part of her continuing series with the Times, "And the Pursuit of Happiness."