Dana-Thomas House Foundation

10/14/2026

Happy 164th birthday to Susan Lawrence Dana!! We celebrated Susan by spending the morning in Susan’s house with Sam Madonia and Greg Halbleib on the WMAY AM Springfield show. Lee-Ann Burgener, Executive Director of the Dana-Thomas House Foundation, board members Kendra Floyd, Tom Ryder and Cinda Klickna, along with Site Superintendent Justin Blandford, shared information about Susan Lawrence Dana, the Dana-Thomas House, Foundation events, IDNR events held at the site, upcoming projects, how to get involved, and updates on the neighborhood, including a move in the near future for the Sumac Shop! Thank you to everyone who joined us, whether in person or listening. We appreciate your support in keeping Susan’s home a true gem in our community!

09/30/2026

That is a LOT of bottles!!!! ALL of these will be auctioned off TONIGHT at Bourbon Done Wright at Motorheads! Silent Auction, Live Auction and Buyers Choice Raffle!!!!!

A HUGE shoutout to Riverton Party Store and Backroom Bourbon Society for these AMAZING donations!!!

We hope to see you tonight at Motorheads!

https://members.dana-thomas.org/event-calendar/Details/bourbon-done-wright-2026-1640816?sourceTypeId=Website

09/24/2026

They're going fast - get them while they last!!! Dana-Thomas House Foundation Hand Picked Woodford Reserve Double Oak, available at Riverton Party Store!

09/23/2026

Check out just some of the AMAZING donations from Jeb Brown at Riverton Party Store and the Backroom Bourbon Society for Bourbon Done Wright 2026!!!

If you have not yet registered, get your tickets ASAP!

Wednesday, September 30th at 5:30 pm at Route 66 Motorheads Bar & Grill. Lots of bourbon and other items will be in the silent and live auction, plus a buyers choice raffle!! Tickets are $125 for bourbon tasting, and $25 for dinner only. Tickets include dinner and music by the Angel Brown Band.

Get your tickets at https://members.dana-thomas.org/event-calendar/Details/bourbon-done-wright-2026-1640816?sourceTypeId=Website

08/18/2026

If you have ever considered volunteering at the Dana-Thomas House, please join us for the Volunteer Open House on Thursday! There are several ways you can get involved - they ALL make a difference! We hope to see you there!

Come join the fun and learn how to begin your volunteer journey at the Dana-Thomas House State Historic Site! There are still a few spots open for you to join us at next week’s New Volunteer Open House, which will be held Thursday, August 20 at 2:00 pm. Reservations are required, so be sure to sign up at https://DTHVolunteerOpenHouse.eventbrite.com soon.

If you can’t attend the open house but are interested in volunteering at the Dana-Thomas House, send us a message so we can connect you with our volunteer coordinator, Lauren Gleason. Lauren can also help you join our amazing volunteer teams at the Old State Capitol, Lincoln Tomb, Vachel Lindsay Home, and Illinois Governor’s Mansion.

Image: Butterfly art glass transoms in the entryway of the Dana-Thomas House.
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07/20/2026

Prom Pictures at The Dana-Thomas House 2026 hosted by The Dana-Thomas House Foundation

Send a message to learn more

07/20/2026

Are you planning to attend tonight’s Read, Reflect and Create Night at the Dana-Thomas House? Do you need something to read, reflect on or create? Stop by the Sumac Shop and check out our selection of books, journals, art and coloring books, and cross stitch!

The Sumac Shop is open daily from 10:00 am to 4:30 pm and always open online. In a hurry? Place an order online at www.sumacshop.com and pick it up on your way to the site.

Spots are still available for tonight. Register online at https://dthreadreflectcreatenight.eventbrite.com

07/20/2026

THANK YOU to everyone who stopped by the Dana-Thomas House Friday night for Downtown Prom Pictures!!! We loved seeing you all dressed up and supporting downtown Springfield businesses!! Thank you to Studio Bliss Photography for taking all the pictures.

We appreciate the site allowing this opportunity. Photography is not allowed inside the Dana-Thomas House so this was a rare treat, and we appreciate it!!

07/19/2026

The Sumac Mural (on Monroe St. in downtown Springfield, IL) has been refreshed!! Thank you Freesky Studios for your amazing work and thank you Downtown Springfield, Inc. for funding the job!!!

If you are not familiar with the Sumac design by Frank Lloyd Wright, you can visit the Dana-Thomas House to see all the amazing art glass designed for the home of Susan Lawrence Dana. You won't be disappointed!!!

Tours are available seven days a week (except major holidays) at 9:30 am, 11:00 am, 1:30 pm and 3:00 pm. You can reserve your FREE tour at www.dana-thomas.org.

Also, be sure to check out the evening events at the Dana-Thomas House: Read, Reflect and Create Night on Mondays; Game Night on Wednesdays; Create in History on Thursdays; and Date Night on Fridays hosted by State Historic Sites at Springfield, IL.

07/18/2026

The Union Pacific Big Boy came by our office today. What a sight to see!!