david davis mansion state historic site

Probably not as famous as Lincoln, his mentor Judge David Davis also owns a place of pride in American history. This prim and prime place tells amusing and little known stories of their friendship You feel as if you have been transported to the Victorian era. Quite an experience and well maintained too.

An interesting trip through an old fashioned, advanced for the time home. The grounds are well kept, and the house is worth taking a look if you are into antiques, history, or architecture.

I love learning about history and try to soak up everything I read or see. My wife had heard about the David Davis Mansion and that she wanted to visit it. Well I didn't know anything about him so I chalked it up as just another place my wife wanted to drag me off to. Then she told me he was a good friend of Abe Lincolns and the place was like a historical museum. So I agreed to go with her. WOW! was I surprised ! The tour guide was very knowledgable and and told interesting stories about the frienship and bond between Abe Lincoln and this man who was Abe's mentor later bacame a Supreme Cout Justice. The libraries are full of the very books that these men read and studied together that helped shape our nation along with the desks and chairs that they sat in. What was also truely amazing to me was that unknown to eveybody, Lincoln gave most of his life time accumulation of documents, letters, etc. to David Davis for safe keeing and they weren't discoverd until 100 years latter. What is also neat about this house was that it was one of the most technically advanced houses in the world for that time. Stop in here and take a lok around. I am sure that, like me, you will be very pleased you did.

Great historic mansion to visit. We usually go on the 1st Friday in August when they have the McLean County Antique Auto Club which brings antique cars and food items for purchase. The mansion has special showings for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

this impressive manor is worth your time. a serious piece of american history in central illinois. summer is great to see the gardens - watch for the car show. winter is showcased with vintage holiday decor.

What a gem! We had a couple of hours to kill on our recent visit to Bloomington, IL. Thank goodness for Tripadvisor! I quickly found the David Davis historical mansion as a top site to see. Beautifully maintained snapshot into the life and times in Abe Lincoln's era. You rarely get such an "up close and personal" type of tour. No "ropes" to keep the visitors at bay. The docent was knowledgeable and conveyed interesting and helpful facts. I highly recommend visiting.

Beautifully maintained mansion filled with original furniture and family materials. Gives a good snapshot of high Victorian living. Be sure to look carefully when you get to the library -- there are several original large John Wesley Powell photographs from his famous Grand Canyon explorations -- David Davis was a one of Powell's patrons -- wonderful photos in an unexpected place!

David Davis was responsible for Lincoln winning the presidency. He was a lawyer and succeeded to the Supreme Court. His wife held down the fort for much of the time while he was in Washington and was responsible for the finish out of the house and redecorating from time to time. It's an interesting tour, and our guide was very informative without being verbose. David Davis was who Robert Lincoln called after his father was assassinated to clean out Lincoln's office thus giving him 19,000 Lincoln documents to care for and to share with the public as he saw fit. It truly was a beautiful home and modern for its time.

I went to visit David Davis Mansion to see the garden. It is called Sarah's Garden after David's wife. It was not a matter of the size of the garden but the history that I found incredible. I walked up wanting to just wonder through the garden, not interested in the history of it and left almost two hours later totally captivated by it's history!I was fortunate to have Master Gardener, Mary Jane Bohall personally talk to me about the garden. This group has done a wonderful job of restoring and maintaining the garden.

Take the tour walk the grounds and tour the garden, you will be glad you did. The docent does a very good job explaining the mansion and it's history. This is a historic site during the time of President Lincoln. Very well maintained.

The home is nicely maintained and I love knowing that I was walking the same hallways as Abraham Lincoln did when visiting the Davis'. This was actually my third visit to the home in two years and always learn something new on each visit.

The David Davis is a great family day out. You start a tour with an interesting little history video in one of the rustic it buildings abd then proceed with the very in character staff into the house itself. The house is lovely and you see something new every time you visit. The mansion also participates in the Christmas at the mansions tours every December and is a real sight to behold.

We've gone to the Davis mansion for years, and it's always a treat. For those who don't know, Judge David Davis was a friend of Abraham Lincoln, whom he came to know during Lincoln's frequent visits to Bloomington as a circuit court lawyer. The mansion was built after Lincoln's death, but serves as a window into life in the late 1800s. The staff is wonderful and knowledgable, and the mansion is host to many seasonally-themed events throughout the year. A must-see!

stumbled across this museum from a trip to bloomington for weekend. it's a significant story in the role of the state and lincoln yet not well known. we went on a late afternoon and were given a great personal tour that was free (but donations accepted). there an introductory video that helps with context. and the house itself is very well maintained. we were surprised how accessible the rooms were (usually places have ropes that prevent access). the tour guide was passionate about the place and it showed.

In the style of the Addams Family home, this high Victorian home is a stunning place to visit. I had a great tour guide and found it all fascinating.A definite Bloomington-Normal must do!