Monday, April 18, 2016

EXECUTIVE MANSION AND GARDENS

Thursday, April 7 – We started our day here in Springfield, IL, at the Executive Mansion and Gardens. The Illinois Executive Mansion is one of the oldest residences in the state. Located in downtown Springfield, this red brick Italianate mansion has been the home of Illinois Governors since 1855.

Illinois Executive Mansion and Gardens

Illinois Executive Mansion and Gardens

Illinois Executive Mansion and Gardens

Lovely gardens.
Mansion gardens

Restored in 1971, the building houses many treasures. Immediately inside is the elliptical stairway which leads to the upper floors. No photos are permitted inside the residency. All inside photos are taken from the Internet.

stairway

The governors residency is on the 3rd floor and is not open to the public.

upstairs room

The basement is used as administrative offices, and the first and second floors are furnished with period antiques and open to the public. Included are four formal parlors, a state dining room, a ballroom, four bedrooms (including the Lincoln bedroom), and the library handcrafted from native American Black Walnut.

One of the several parlors.
sitting room

This mirror was left by the first Governor that lived in the house.
Executive Mansion and Gardens

The dining table seats 44 people.
Executive Mansion and Gardens

This is the third oldest continuously occupied Governor's Mansion in the country. Seven presidents, including Abraham Lincoln, have been received at the Mansion. Abraham Lincoln spent many hours here during meetings with politicians of the time.

The Mansion is beautiful and free. The tour takes about an hour. Our docent was very informative and shared several personal stories with us. Put it on your list.

Our next stop was the Amtrak Station. This is the station where Lincoln's funeral train arrived back in Springfield. His body was placed on a funeral wagon and transported to the Old Capitol Building where he laid in State.

Amtrak Station Springfield, IL

Click on any photo to enlarge it for better reading.

Amtrak Station Springfield, IL

Amtrak Station Springfield, IL

Amtrak Station Springfield, IL

This station is still in operation today. Curiously, we checked on the train to Chicago.....$40 one-way/person. It is a three-hour trip. May be a nice way to visit Chicago!

Thanks for stopping by. Hope to see y’all back real soon. Have a great day!