David Davis Mansion
I donate time to the beautiful David Davis Mansion built in 1870-72 for Judge David Davis and his wife, Sarah. Davis was appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court by Abraham Lincoln. The home is located at 1000 E. Monroe, Bloomington, Illinois.
I have one print for sale in the gift shop. There are also a few greeting cards with my images on them for sale. I donated my time on the cards so all the profit from the cards goes to the mansion restoration.
There are events all year long on the mansion grounds. A new event in 2011 was Servant's Day. Volunteers dress in period clothes and explain to tours what daily life was like. Another event and a favorite of mine is Civil War Days. Local actors portray Civil War generals and give speeches. Ladies in beautiful clothes and even President and Mrs. Lincoln are there. A procession can been seen to downtown Bloomington complete with a horse-drawn carriage for President and Mrs. Lincoln.
Another favorite event is Christmas At The Mansion. Each room is decorated with a tree and everything is beautifully done. As tours walk through the mansion, the Judge and Mrs. Davis can be seen seated in the stately dining room with honored guests enjoying turkey with all the trimmings. You can hear them talking about daily life and interests in the 1800s. Everything is done by a handful of dedicated volunteers.
I hope you enjoy these images. Try and stop by the mansion for a visit back in time. Be sure to end your tour in the gift shop downstairs!
Visit them at: www.daviddavismansion.org
Joe
I have one print for sale in the gift shop. There are also a few greeting cards with my images on them for sale. I donated my time on the cards so all the profit from the cards goes to the mansion restoration.
There are events all year long on the mansion grounds. A new event in 2011 was Servant's Day. Volunteers dress in period clothes and explain to tours what daily life was like. Another event and a favorite of mine is Civil War Days. Local actors portray Civil War generals and give speeches. Ladies in beautiful clothes and even President and Mrs. Lincoln are there. A procession can been seen to downtown Bloomington complete with a horse-drawn carriage for President and Mrs. Lincoln.
Another favorite event is Christmas At The Mansion. Each room is decorated with a tree and everything is beautifully done. As tours walk through the mansion, the Judge and Mrs. Davis can be seen seated in the stately dining room with honored guests enjoying turkey with all the trimmings. You can hear them talking about daily life and interests in the 1800s. Everything is done by a handful of dedicated volunteers.
I hope you enjoy these images. Try and stop by the mansion for a visit back in time. Be sure to end your tour in the gift shop downstairs!
Visit them at: www.daviddavismansion.org
Joe
Sarah's Garden. Maintained by several master gardeners who keep it close to how Sarah had it.
For "Servant's Day", local actors memorize parts and explain to people that tour what daily life was like at the mansion. The Davis' were very generous and kind to their servants, often paying them during the sumer months when they weren't working at the mansion.
A panorama of the grounds as seen from the front entrance.
Civil War Days. A lot happens at Civil War Days. Battle re-enactments, overnight camping of the troops, period costumes and many stories (and canon blasts) to hear.
Civil War Days.
You never know who will show up at Civil War Days. This gentleman is the 2nd great grandson to a soldier that was in Company D, 19th Iowa Infantry.
Civil War Days. These young men are students at a local high school who have an interest in history and the Civil War. The fellow on the left is sketching 'life on the mansion grounds'.
A cozy spot to sit in between the mansion and Sarah's Garden.
Sitting Room decorated for David Davis "Christmas At The Mansions", Bloomington, Illinois. The mansion will be featured in Victorin Homes magazine, winter, 2013.
Front Parlor decorated for David Davis "Christmas At The Mansions", Bloomington, Illinois.
Dinning Room decorated for David Davis "Christmas At The Mansions", Bloomington, Illinois. During the tour, Judge Davis, his wife and six guests will be seated around the table, elegantly dressed and talking about life in the 1870s. Servants are busy bringing food from the kitchen.
Red, white and blue bedroom decorated for David Davis "Christmas At The Mansions", Bloomington, Illinois. If you can imagine, there weren't alot of toys or games at this time so the parents 'played games' hiding presents in the room. Children had to follow the string to find their present.
Angel bedroom decorated for David Davis "Christmas At The Mansions", Bloomington, Illinois. One of everyone's favorite rooms on the tour.
One of the angels in the Angel bedroom.
Christmas tree in the Angel bedroom decorated for David Davis "Christmas At The Mansions", Bloomington, Illinois.
Dolls in the front bedroom decorated for David Davis "Christmas At The Mansions", Bloomington, Illinois. The dolls are donated by Nancy P.
Noah's Ark bedroom decorated for David Davis "Christmas At The Mansions", Bloomington, Illinois. Imagine waking up to this on Christmas morning in 1870.
For it's time, a modern and spacious kitchen decorated for David Davis "Christmas At The Mansions", Bloomington, Illinois.
The David Davis Mansion was fortunate enough to be featured in the Winter 2013 issue of Victorian Homes magazine (http://www.victorianhomesmag.com). They gave us several pages of big photos and a nice write-up! Unfortunately, this issue is sold out but several copies were available for sale at the mansion book store.
