State Historic Sites at Springfield, IL

10/24/2026

Today's the day for free, family-friendly Halloween fun in Downtown Springfield! Check out these great events and be sure to say hello to our amazing volunteers who help make these events possible!
🎃10:00 am - noon: Halloween Crafts and Games at the Dana-Thomas House
🎃1:00-3:00 pm: Trick or Treat at the Illinois Governor's Mansion
🎃4:00-6:00 pm: Trick-or-Treat at the Old State Capitol
🎃4:30-6:30 pm: Abe's Haunted Hollow at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum
🎃6:30 pm: The Parent Place's Annual Halloween Parade

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

10/24/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us this evening. We’re delighted to partner with the World Affairs Council of Central Illinois to bring historical perspective and relevant discussions to our capital city and downtown.

This evening - Portraits of American Diplomacy event shares how diplomacy impacts Central Illinois.
Link in comments.

10/23/2026

Earlier this month we enjoyed partnering with our new friends at Blind Service Chicago to welcome this wonderful group of youth to Springfield. Site Interpreter Sheila discussed the history of the 1908 Springfield Race Riot with the group, while visiting Preston Jackson's "Acts of Intolerance" sculpture. The group also visited the Old State Capitol and joined Jenny Suttill from Studio on 6th, the Original Art Co-op for a fun Lincoln-themed art project. Thank you to Blind Service Chicago for sharing your time with us, and also for sharing these great images from the program! We're grateful for the opportunity to help you create a meaningful experience at our historic sites.

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

10/22/2026

Autumn is a wonderful time to visit the Dana-Thomas House, and for those who'd like to spend a little more time exploring the house with an experienced guide, our extended length specialty tours will be offered next on Saturday, November 7. Reservations are required, visit the links below to save your spot:
🍁10:00 AM: Attention to Detail: A Dana-Thomas House Specialty Tour
🍁1:00 PM: Of Glass and Wood: A Dana-Thomas House Specialty Tour
These tours are designed for teens and adults with a strong interest in Frank Lloyd Wright architecture. Daily one-hour guided tours are also offered throughout the month, with reservations available at https://danathomashousetours.eventbrite.com

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

10/22/2026

Who's ready for a Saturday filled with Halloween fun? We're excited to partner with other sites and organizations to offer the community these free opportunities for families on Saturday, October 24 in downtown Springfield:
🎃10:00 am - noon: Halloween Crafts and Games at the Dana-Thomas House
🎃1:00-3:00 pm: Trick-or-Treat at the Illinois Governor's Mansion
🎃4:00-6:00 pm: Trick-or-Treat at the Old State Capitol
🎃4:30-6:30 pm: Abe's Haunted Hollow at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum
🎃6:30 pm: The Parent Place's Annual Halloween Parade

Illinois Department of Natural Resources Illinois State Museum Visit Springfield The Old State Capitol Foundation Dana-Thomas House Foundation Illinois Governor's Mansion Association The Parent Place - Official My Heart's Downtown Springfield, IL Downtown Springfield Heritage Foundation Downtown Springfield, Inc. Downtown Springfield LIVE Calendar

10/21/2026

Don't forget, our first session of WonderClubs at the Old State Capitol is TOMORROW (Thursday, October 22) at 4:00 PM at the Old State Capitol! Youth in pre-K through Fifth Grade (accompanied by an adult) are welcome to join us for this fun, free science club. Registrations are still open at https://WonderclubsOSC.eventbrite.com if you'd like to reserve a space for your child to join us. Can't make it this week? Visit the Eventbrite link to see the other available dates - we'll do different activities each week, so you're welcome to join us for as many as you wish!

10/21/2026

We had so much fun making birdhouses with our friends from Compass for Kids that we've decided to host a public workshop for more community members to build their own birdhouses. Our next Building for Wildlife Program Series program will be building birdhouses for the black-capped chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) at the Old State Capitol on Saturday, November 7. Reservations are required as space is limited - be sure to visit https://BuildingforWildlife.eventbrite.com to make your reservation soon!

Learn more about the black-capped chickadee at https://dnr.illinois.gov/education/wildaboutpages/wildaboutbirds/wildaboutbirdskinglets/wabblackcappedchickadee.html

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

10/19/2026

This week we have FIVE opportunities for you to get creative at the Dana-Thomas House!
1️⃣ TONIGHT (Monday, October 19): Bring your own project and join us for Read, Reflect and Create Night at the Dana-Thomas House - reservations at https://dthreadreflectcreatenight.eventbrite.com
2️⃣Tuesday, October 20: Bloom W**e Bar & Florals leads a flower arranging class (SOLD OUT)
3️⃣Wednesday, October 21: Ceramics Made by Rosie helps you paint a unique pottery piece - reservations required at https://www.ceramicsmadebyrosie.com/paintapot
4️⃣Thursday, October 22: Studio on 6th, the Original Art Co-op artist Jeannie Serra hosts Art Nights at the Dana-Thomas House, featuring a fall button mosaic project - reservations required at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/create-in-history-october-at-dana-thomas-house-tickets-1999539489439
5️⃣ FOR KIDS: Saturday, October 24 you can join us for Halloween crafts and games in the Dana-Thomas House Courtyard from 10:00 am - noon. No reservations needed for the Halloween crafts and games, and costumes are welcome but not required.

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

10/16/2026