Community Calendar

The Dana-Thomas House State Historic Site will celebrate architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s 150^thbirthday next month with a concert and special tours of the stunning home he designed.

One new tour explains the amazing restoration of the house. It will be offered June 10 and 24. Another, family-friendly tour looks at the animals that inspired Wright and takes place June 25.

A concert June 10 at 6 p.m. by musicians David Cain and Larry Gray will explore Wright’s legacy through words and music. Expect an innovative jazz presentation as adventurous as Wright’s designs.

Wright was born June 8, 1867. When he died in 1959, he was the most famous architect in the world. The Dana-Thomas House is perhaps the best-preserved of Wright’s “Prairie Style” homes, with more than 400 pieces of specially made art glass and original furnishings.

The state of Illinois purchased the home in 1981 and then launched a painstaking restoration of the home’s 1910 appearance, when it was the glittering showplace of socialite Susan Lawrence Dana.

Mike Jackson will lead “Restoration of the Dana-Thomas House” tours at 1:15 on both June 10 and 24. As chief architect for the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency at the time of the restoration, Jackson played a major role in ensuring the work met exacting specifications.

The new “Animals and Architects” tour will be offered twice on June 25 – at 11:15 a.m. and 1:15 p.m. The half-hour tour designed for children begins with an activity in the courtyard and explores representations of animals inside the house.

All events are free, but reservations are required and donations are suggested. Call217-782-6776for concert and tour reservations. VisitState Historic Sites at Springfieldon Facebook for a listing of additional summer events. 

The Dana-Thomas House, located at 301 E. Lawrence Street (Fourth and Lawrence) in Springfield,is open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday.

The home is operated by the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency (www.IllinoisHistory.gov). IHPA protects the state’s historic resources, which contribute to education, culture and the economy. IHPA sites include ancient burial mounds, forts and buildings erected by settlers, and homes connected to famous Illinoisans.

The full tour schedule for June:

June 3, 10:15 a.m., “Attention to Detail”

Join longtime volunteer Frank Marchant on an extended tour of the Dana Thomas House. “Attention to Detail” explores details and stories of the House that enrich our understanding of art and architecture and the genius of Frank Lloyd Wright.

June 3, 1:15 p.m., “Of Glass and Wood”

Led by volunteer Frank Marchant, “Of Glass and Wood” focuses on details of the amazing art glass collection and the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed furniture in the house.

June 9, 10:15 a.m. and 1:15 p.m., “Wright Concepts”

Join longtime volunteer Larry Betz for an extended tour and discussion of the design principles behind Wright’s “Prairie School” architecture, which emphasized horizontal lines to blend in with the natural surroundings of the Midwest. The tour promises visitors a new perspective on Wright’s architectural vision, even if they’ve visited the site before.

June 10, 1:15 p.m., “Restoration of the Dana-Thomas House”

The state restoration of the Dana-Thomas House was a five-year project that returned the house to its appearance in 1910. This hour-long guided tour includes a visit to the "restoration room" to showcase the restoration process.  Mike Jackson, architect for the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency at the time of the restoration, will lead the tour.

June 25, 11:15 a.m. and 1:15 p.m., “Animals and Architects”

Join site interpreter Jennifer Caldwell on a specialty tour that has been designed for families. “Animals and Architects” is a 30-minute tour that will begin with an activity in the courtyard and explore representations of animals inside the house.  Learn which animals inspired Wright to bring the outside indoors in this fun and new approach to learning at the Dana-Thomas House.

June 24, 1:15 p.m., “Restoration of the Dana-Thomas House”

The state restoration of the Dana-Thomas House was a five-year project that returned the house to its appearance in 1910. This hour-long guided tour includes a visit to the "restoration room" to showcase the restoration process.  Mike Jackson, architect for the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency at the time of the restoration, will lead the tour.