What do you want to be when you grow up?

Twenty-three young people had a chance to find that out this summer when they explored the careers of archaeologists, lawyers, judges, and teachers during the McLean County Museum of History’s History Day Camp.  The camp was held on July 12, 14, and 16 from 9 am to 4 pm and was open to children entering grades four through six. 

Students spent the first day of the camp at the David Davis Mansion, where they analyzed intriguing historical objects found in the home and then used archaeological field methods to excavate real artifacts buried beneath the ground.  

On July 14th, they learned about trial proceedings in the courtroom of the McLean County Museum of History, where they also conducted a mock trial. 

The students then spent the final day of the camp at the Eyestone School on the ISU campus, studying the three R’s and learning about Lura Eyestone, who once taught there.  At the end of the day, they held their own pioneer fair, complete with games, recitations and performances.

The camp provided a chance for the McLean County Museum of History and the David Davis Mansion to form a community partnership in order to offer students from low-income households a series of unique educational experiences.  Dozens of volunteers from both museums donated their time and talents to make the camp a success.  In interviews with the Pantagraph after the completion of the camp, the participants unanimously expressed their appreciation for the opportunity.  Mansion staff and volunteers were especially delighted when one young man enthusiastically explained that he now wants to become an archaeologist, because he really enjoyed the experience of digging for artifacts at the mansion.

-Marcia Young, Site Manager

Glorious Gardens Bloom In A Glorious Event!

The 2004 Glorious Garden Festival’s Garden Walk, co-hosted by the David Davis Mansion Foundation and Chestnut Health Systems, was held on Friday, June 18, from 1-8 P.M. and Saturday, June 19, from 9 A.M.-5 P.M.   The David Davis Mansion Foundation would like to take this opportunity to thank corporate and supporting sponsors, advertisers, donors, volunteers, and participating garden owners for all the time, effort and funding that everyone donated to this year’s event. 

 

And what an event it was!  A record number of Bloomington-Normal area residents and out-of-town visitors—more than 1200—enjoyed touring some or all of the ten private gardens, which were showcased in this year’s Walk.   No two gardens were alike:  they included everything from woodland and lakeside retreats to an Asian-inspired bower and a botanical haven for interesting treasures.  The weather was balmy on Saturday, and the gardens continued blooming magnificently over the entire weekend. 

 This year’s Garden Walk was also the most successful ever—raising approximately $21,500!   The net amount will be divided equally between the David Davis Mansion Foundation and Chestnut Health Systems.  The site’s half of the proceeds will be used to support ongoing restoration projects and programs for the Mansion’s heirloom garden.

In addition to being a superb fundraiser and effective marketing tool for the Mansion, the Glorious Garden Walk has become a highly prized fixture in the Twin-Cities’ lineup of summer events.  The Foundation received rave reviews again about the appearance of the gardens, and Mansion volunteers enjoyed working in such beautiful surroundings.  To help us continue improving the event, you are encouraged to nominate gardens for 2006, and to plan on attending the Ninth Annual Glorious Garden Festival Garden Walk during the third weekend in June 2005.  We promise that it will be another blockbuster event.

-Marcia Young, Site Manager

Attention Volunteers!

All volunteers – gift shop, special events, tour guides – are encouraged to fill out and return the surveys.  Please place them in a box in the volunteer’s room or mail to the Mansion by August 30^th.

You may also share your ideas with committee members:  Ed Decker, Carol Fox, and Sherie Ross.  This committee was formed to serve as a discussion group and sounding board for suggestions to recruit, retain, and recognize   volunteers.                                                                                         

--Mabel Gast  
Co-Chair, Volunteer Committee

Looking for Lincoln….

                                     And finding Davis and Lincoln at the Convention

On opening day of the 1860 convention in Chicago, Davis arranged for the Lincoln supporters to come several hours early to fill up the gallery seats.  Davis aided by Normal Judd assigned the New York and Seward delegates to the front surrounded by the Illinois and Indiana delegates.  This resulted in delegates from Pennsylvania, Ohio, and other doubtful contingents being closer to Illinois than to New York, giving the Lincoln forces superior access to the delegates from those state whose votes would prove to be decisive.

On the first day, the Convention selected David Davis as Vice-President of the Convention.  On the second day, when the balloting commenced, the first ballot showed the result of Davis’ work.  New England was supposedly solid for Seward but Lincoln received votes from Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Connecticut.  From the Slave states, which were thought to be in Seward’s pocket, Lincoln received a majority in Virginia and Kentucky.  The first ballot total gave 173.5 votes to Seward and 102 to Lincoln.

On the second ballot, Vermont cast its entire 10 votes for Lincoln; Pennsylvania cast 48 votes for Lincoln.  He gained additional votes from New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Ohio, Delaware, and Iowa.  The swing to Lincoln was unmistakable.  By the end of the second ballot, Lincoln had a total of 181 votes; Seward had 184.5, Bates had 35, with 42 scattered ballots.  The galleries full of Illinois Lincoln supporters roared their approval. 

On the third ballot, Massachusetts changed 4 votes from Seward to Lincoln.  The Maryland vote then went to Lincoln and Ohio cast 29 votes for Lincoln.  Even before the clerk could announce the result, the delegates had figured it out.  Lincoln had received 231.5 votes; Seward fell to 180.  Lincoln was 1.5 votes short of the nomination.  Suddenly, a delegate from Ohio changed 4 votes from Chase to Lincoln and that did it.  Pandemonium broke out, the cannon on the roof was fired; and Judge Davis burst into tears.

After nominating Hannibal Hamlin of Maine, a former Democrat, for Vice-President, the Convention completed its work.  The next day, the President of the Convention went to Springfield to give formal notification to Lincoln.  On the night before, he had sent Lincoln a telegram, “Write no letters and make no promises til you see me.  Write me at Bloomington when to see you.  I must see you soon.”

Lincoln, with the masterful help of Davis and Swett, was able to hold the Republican Party together for the 1860 election.  It was now time for the Democratic Party to break up over the question of whether Congress should protect slavery in the territories.  Now there were two Democratic tickets – one headed by Stephen A Douglas in the North and the other by John C. Breckenridge of Kentucky in the South. 

But an additional candidate appeared which posed a serious threat to the Republicans in some crucial states. This threat was the Constitution Union Party which nominated John Bell of Tennessee for President and for Vice-President, the Distinguished Edward Everett of Massachusetts who, for posterity, would become famous as the eloquent speaker at Gettysburg in 1863.  This party obtained the following of the Know Nothings or the Millard Fillmore American Party members who did not go along with the Republican Party.  Although the Constitution Union Party had no chance of willing, its strategy was to prevent Lincoln from winning by taking votes away from him in the pivotal states.

Lincoln knew that Bell was a greater threat to him than Douglas in the North.  If Lincoln could unite the Know Nothings Party with the Republicans in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Indiana, he would win. If he failed to do so, he would probably lose.  Once again, Davis led an effort to reach out to various political leaders of the Constitution Union group.  He was able to get many prominent party members to publish letters declaring for Lincoln.  Davis’ cousin, Henry Winter Davis, was an American Party leader for Maryland and a prominent member of the U.S. House of Representatives.  Davis was instrumental in getting his cousin, Winter Davis, to declare for Lincoln.

Likewise, Leonard Swett had an old friend who was a leading figure in the American Party figure for New York and Swett was instrumental in obtaining some New York support in that group for Lincoln. 

The story of the entire campaign of 1860 is another story, for another time.  However, Davis was as important to Lincoln’s election as he was in obtaining the nomination for Lincoln at the nominating convention.

-Robert Lenz

             President, David Davis Mansion Foundation 

2004 Calendar of Special Events

David Davis Mansion Foundation Community Meeting 

Wednesday, September 15, 7 p.m.

Join us for the annual community meeting at the historic Normal Theater and hear noted Lincoln scholar and author David Long speak on “David Davis and Lincoln’s 1860 Election.” 

Blessings of the Table

November 3 - 19, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

The house is decorated for a traditional New England Thanksgiving celebration (Sarah Davis was from Massachusetts) featuring the bountiful foods and dining customs of the Victorian era.

Christmas at Clover Lawn

November 26 - December 31, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

The house is lavishly decorated for a traditional Victorian Christmas with Christmas foods and seasonal music of the era. 

A Dickens Christmas Tea

Saturday, December 4, two seatings:  11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., and 2 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

$15 per person, prepaid reservations required

You are invited to a Dickens Christmas Tea which will feature carolers, a Christmas Tea, crafting a Victorian ornament, and tour.  Seating is limited, so please call Nancy Perzo at 309.827.2200 for reservations.

Ornament Workshop for Children

Saturday, December 4, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

In conjunction with the annual Once Upon A Holiday festivities, the Mansion is offering an ornament workshop for kids of all ages.   No reservations are needed, just stop by the Mansion during its normal hours and craft an ornament for your tree!  

For additional information on the above events, call the Mansion at 309/828-1084.

David Davis Mansion
1000 East Monroe Drive
Hours:  9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Wednesday - Sunday
Closed Monday and Tuesday and some State Holidays