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Camp Butler National Cemetery was once the site of a Civil War training camp. Established in August 1861, Camp Butler served as a training facility for Union troops. Just one month after opening, the camp was training more than 5,000 men for war. Soon the training camp doubled as a POW camp. More than 3,500 Confederate soldiers were held on the 15-acre prison compound. Today, Camp Butler is a national cemetery where 809 Confederate and 766 Union soldiers are buried as well as American soldiers from World War I through the Vietnam War. For additional information about Camp Butler National Cemetery call (217) 492-4070.
The Dana-Thomas House
is said to be one of Frank Lloyd Wright’s largest and most elaborate
Prairie-style designs. This house has 15 rooms that contain more than
100 pieces of original furniture as well as 250 art glass windows. Dana-Thomas
House was restored by the State of Illinois in 1990 and is listed on the
National Register of Historic Places. It is located at 301 East Lawrence.
For details call (217) 782-6776.
The Daughters of the Union Veterans of the Civil War Museum was dedicated in June 1952. The museum serves as the national headquarters for The Daughters of the Union Veterans of the Civil War. Visitors can research family history or study Civil War history with the museum’s bounty of Civil War documents. The museum also offers a look at Civil War artifacts such as medals, photographs, currency, and uniforms. The museum is located at 503 South Walnut Street. Call (217) 544-0616 for more information.
The Executive Mansion has served as the governor’s residence since 1855, making it the third oldest continuously occupied governor’s mansion in the United States. Located at 410 East Jackson, this red brick Italianate mansion has received seven U.S. presidents. Visitors can tour three levels and see the ballroom, dining room, and the Lincoln bedroom. Call (217) 782-6450 for more information about the Executive Mansion.
The Grand Army of the Republic Memorial Museum pays tribute to the Civil War veterans in the Grand Army. The museum is full of Civil War memorabilia including artifacts, documents, and historically significant items that have been donated by Civil War veterans and their relatives. The museum is located at 629 South 7th Street. For more details call (217) 522-4373.
Located at Lake Springfield, Henson Robinson Zoo is home to more than 90 different species of exotic and native animals. Lemurs, cheetahs, and cougars are among the 300 animals at Henson Robinson Zoo. Be sure to check out the reptile house, monkey island, and the penguin exhibit. Call (217) 753-6217 for more information.
The Illinois State Capitol held its first legislative session in 1877. It houses the offices of the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, and Secretary of State along with the House of Representatives and Senate chambers. The building was constructed between 1868 and 1888. It is a combination of Renaissance Revival and Second Empire style and is topped off with a 405-foot tall dome. A collection of paintings, murals, and portraits that highlight Illinois history is displayed throughout the building. The Capitol is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is located at 2nd and Capitol Streets. Call (217) 782-2099 for additional information.
Located on the grounds of Camp Lincoln, headquarters of the Illinois National Guard, the Illinois State Military Museum offers a variety of exhibits that relate to the military history of Illinois. The museum has focused on collecting and preserving military heritage in the State of Illinois. For additional information about the museum call (217) 761-3910.
The Illinois State Museum offers three floors of exhibits on anthropology and natural history. Visitors will see an Ice Age mastodon, lifelike re-creations of American Indian villages, as well as a modern computer-interactive exhibit. Children will enjoy the museum’s hands-on discovery room. The museum is located at Spring and Edwards Streets. Call (217) 782-7386 for more information.
The Oliver P. Parks Telephone Museum originated from Mr. Parks personal collection of telephones he accrued during his career with the phone company. There are more than 100 telephones on display with some dating back to the late 19th century. Besides the diverse collection of telephones, visitors can view films, exhibits, and displays that reveal telecommunications history. The museum is located at 529 South 7th Street. For detailed information call (217) 789-5303.
The Springfield Children’s Museum offers a hands-on environment that kids are sure to enjoy. Exhibits cover art, architecture, health, nature, and science. The museum is located at 619 East Washington Street. For museum specifics call (217) 789-0679.
The Thomas Rees Memorial Carillon, the world’s 5th largest belltower, is located in Springfield’s Washington Park. The belltower holds 66 bells that weigh nearly 75,000 pounds. The twelve-story tower has three observation decks that provide a beautiful view of Springfield. Call (217) 753-6219 for more details.
Opened in 1839, the Old State Capitol served as the first statehouse in Springfield. This Greek Revival is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and holds a wealth of Lincoln history. Lincoln delivered his famous “House Divided” speech here and an original copy of his “Gettysburg Address” is on display. The Old Capitol was restored in the late 1960's and offers a living history program for its visitors. Call (217) 785-7961 for tour information.
The 1908 Race Riot Walking Tour is a self-guided walking tour that remembers one of Springfield’s darker moments, The Race Riots of 1908. Racial tensions turned to mob violence in Springfield on August 14, 1908 and within 48 hours seven people were dead, 40 homes were ruined, and 24 businesses were destroyed. The tour begins on the corner of Seventh and Jefferson Streets and includes eight historic markers. Maps are available at the Springfield Convention and Visitor Bureau at 109 North Seventh Street.
The Capitol Complex Visitors Center located at 425 South College equips visitors with a wealth of information about the Capitol complex. The visitors center provides a 20-minute video presentation and offers informational brochures for other Illinois attractions. For more details call (217) 524-6620.
For a unique look at the past, check out the Museum of Funeral Customs where the history of American funerals and mourning customs is explored in detail. The museum displays include a 1870's home funeral setting, a 1920's embalming room, and horse-drawn hearses. Also available to see is a reproduction of Abraham Lincoln’s coffin and scale models of Lincoln’s railroad coach and tomb. Other interesting artifacts include embalming equipment, a variety of caskets and coffins, and rare 16th century embalming books. The museum is located at the entrance to Oak Ridge Cemetery at 1440 Monument Avenue. For details call (217) 544-3480.
The Illinois Vietnam Veterans Memorial was built in 1988 as a tribute to Illinois’ fallen and missing soldiers who served in the Vietnam War. The impressive granite monument holds the names of 2,981 Illinois soldiers with an everlasting flame burning in the center of the memorial. The Illinois Vietnam Veterans Memorial is located in the Oak Ridge Cemetery. Call (217) 782-2717 for additional details.
One of the largest fire service patch collections in the United States can be found at the Illinois Fire Museum. Other museum exhibits include the “Rig Room” with an antique engine and fire pole, antique fire service memorabilia, and a game room where kids can test their fire safety knowledge. The museum is located in the Old Fire House at the Illinois State Fairgrounds.