State Historic Sites at Springfield, IL

08/31/2026

We are always glad to partner with non-profits to raise awareness for important causes. September is Recovery Awareness Month.

08/31/2026

September brings us some amazing opportunities for you to get creative at our historic sites! Check out the list of classes below. Please note all classes require advance reservations and some require fees for materials.

Thursdays are Art Nights at the Dana-Thomas House
🌼 Thursday, September 3: Monica Zanetti of Wild Rose leads you in creating a floral painting with a pumpkin. Reservations at https://ArtNightsDTH.eventbrite.com
🖌️Thursday, September 10: Carolyn Owen Sommer leads a watercolor class. Reservations at https://ArtNightsDTH.eventbrite.com
🌿Thursday, September 17: Mimi's Terrariums leads you in creating your own terrarium. Reservations at https://www.mimisterrariums.com/
🖌️Thursday, September 24: Carolyn Owen Sommer leads a watercolor class. Reservations at https://ArtNightsDTH.eventbrite.com

Saturdays are Capitol Creations at the Old State Capitol. September's theme is Sunflowers. Join Jenny Suttill from Studio on 6th, the Original Art Co-op to make a different painting each week. Reservations for all Capitol Creations classes are required at https://www.allpaintshop.com/
🌻Saturday, September 5: Sunflower in a Teacup
🌻Saturday, September 12: Sunflowers in a Bicycle Basket
🌻Saturday, September 19: Paint a sunflower themed door hanger
🌻Saturday, September 26: Create a sunflower painting that incorporates a heart

Image: People sit at tables in the gallery of the Dana-Thomas House, working on art projects.

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

08/31/2026

This September, we're taking a closer look at some of the historic artwork in the Old State Capitol State Historic Site. Join us on Saturday evenings for History Nights at the Old State Capitol, where we'll discuss different works each week. Program topics include:

🖼️ Saturday, September 5: Depictions of Lincoln

🖼️ Saturday, September 12: Revolutionary Leaders: Washington and Lafayette

🖼️ Saturday, September 19: Portraits of Generals

🖼️ Saturday, September 26: Downtown Springfield in Lincoln's Day

Learn about program times and upcoming topics at https://historynightsosc.eventbrite.com (Please note, reservations are NOT required to participate in this program)

Image: Paintings of downtown Springfield from the 1850s hanging over an antique desk in the Old State Capitol.

Illinois Department of Natural Resources Illinois State Museum Visit Springfield The Old State Capitol Foundation Downtown Springfield Heritage Foundation My Heart's Downtown Springfield, IL Looking For Lincoln

08/30/2026

If you enjoyed yesterday's Gathering of the Bookalos at the Old State Capitol, we have good news for you! Monday night is Read, Reflect and Create Night at the Dana-Thomas House and you are welcome to join us. Bring your book to read, bring a craft to work on, or bring your journal to reflect on your day. We'll set up tables and chairs throughout the house for you to enjoy a relaxing evening surrounded by Frank Lloyd Wright-designed architecture. Reserve your spot for this program at https://dthreadreflectcreatenight.eventbrite.com

Images: A crochet amigurumi tree sprite stands in the Dana House courtyard holding a copy of a book called "Who Was Frank Lloyd Wright?"; People work on art projects in the living room of the Dana-Thomas House.

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

08/29/2026

Still deciding what to do with your Saturday? We have a few ideas for you:

🐢 Join our friends from Henson Robinson Zoo in the Dana-Thomas House courtyard from 10:00 am - 1:00 pm for Zoo Booth at Springfield Historic Sites
🌻 Visit allpaintshop.com and make plans to join our friends from Studio on 6th, the Original Art Co-op for a Capitol Creations art class at the Old State Capitol
📚 Bring a book and join our friends from Lincoln Library, The Public Library of Springfield, IL at the Old State Capitol for the Gathering of the Bookalos
🎩 Join us at the Old State Capitol this evening for History Nights at the Old State Capitol

We hope to see you soon!

Images: A bullsnake appears deep in thought at Henson Robinson Zoo; The art glass in the bedroom of the Dana-Thomas House; the exterior of the Old State Capitol Disclaimer: Zoo animals featured in our posts are not necessarily the species that will be available at Zoo Booth events.

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

08/29/2026

More opportunities will be coming soon! Thank you to everyone who is supporting these creative opportunities at our historic sites!

THANK YOU EVERYONE! Our Dana Thomas House Floral Arranging Classes have officially sold out!

We are so incredibly grateful for the excitement and support surrounding this series! Stay tuned, more will be coming soon 👏🏻

💐

08/28/2026

It's a great weekend to explore local sites, and today the Dana-Thomas House is open for daytime and evening tours to give you more opportunities to see it! Tour times for Friday, August 28 include:
🦋9:30 am
🦋11:00 am
🦋1:30 pm
🦋3:00 pm
🦋5:30 pm
🦋6:30 pm

Daytime guided tours are also offered Saturday and Sunday. Reservations are suggested to secure your spot - view available times and make your reservation at https://danathomashousetours.eventbrite.com

Images: A monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) lands on a plant near the Dana-Thomas House; butterfly transom windows designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in the Dana-Thomas House.

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

08/27/2026

Our team is looking forward to being a part of the Route 66 Monarch Festival! Be sure to put it on your calendar so you can join us:
Saturday, September 12
2:00-8:00 pm
Illinois State Fairgrounds
Free admission

Join the Illinois State Museum, Illinois Department of Agriculture, Illinois Monarch Project, and a host of community partners as we celebrate Illinois' state insect, and everyone's favorite garden visitor, the Monarch Butterfly! Enjoy FREE games, activities, giveaways, and more at this community event - rain or shine! Visitors will also be treated to a FREE screening of the Disney-Pixar Movie "Cars" from 6- 8 PM.

Image: Flyer for the Route 66 Monarch Festival, featuring three cartoon monarch butterflies driving a convertible on Route 66.

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

08/26/2026

If you’d like to spend some extra time surrounded by our Frank Lloyd Wright-designed art glass, our extended-length specialty tours will be offered on Saturday, September 5. Join an experienced volunteer guide for an in-depth look at the house and discussion about Wright’s career. Reservations are required, so be sure to visit the links below to reserve your spot!

Saturday, September 5:
10:00 am: Attention to Detail https://attentiontodetaildanathomashouse.eventbrite.com/
1:00 pm: Of Glass and Wood https://ofglassandwooddanathomashouse.eventbrite.com/

Video: Slow 360-degree panning of Frank Lloyd Wright designed art glass doors and windows in the fountain hallway of the Dana-Thomas House

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

08/25/2026

Our partnerships in the downtown continue to flourish. These opportunities will fill up very fast, so don’t delay!
Bloom Wine Bar & Florals
Dana-Thomas House Foundation
Illinois Department of Natural Resources
Illinois State Museum