David Davis Mansion Programs

Annual Community Meeting Dr. Edna Greene Medford will be the guest speaker. Her talk is: "'We ask only even-handed justice': Race in Lincoln's Time and Our Own." Professor Medford, a well known African-American and Civil War historian on the faculty of Howard University, is a noted author on the subject of African-American Emancipation. The talk is free and open to the public. Thursday, November 8, 2007 7 p.m. Wayman A.M.E. Church, 803 W. Olive, Bloomington Co-sponsored by the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission of McLean County and the David Davis Mansion Foundation.
Click to enlarge	Christmas at Clover Lawn Events Late November - December The David Davis Mansion is lavishly decorated every year for a traditional, late-Victorian Christmas. Closed Mondays, Tuesday, Christmas Day and New Year's Day.
Victorian Christmas Tours Nov. 23-Dec. 31, Wednesday-Sunday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Free Public tours of the home, which is authentically decorated for a Victorian Christmas; donations welcome. Christmas at the Mansions Tour Dec.15, 4-9 p.m. Tour of three Bloomington-Normal area mansions decorated for Christmas: David Davis, Vrooman and Broadview Mansions. Music, costumed guides and holiday refreshments will be featured. Tickets: $8/person, available at the Garlic Press, Casey's Garden Shop and Schnucks. Shuttle bus service to all 3 mansions begins at the David Davis Mansion. For more information, contact the Davis Mansion @ 309/828-1084. Click here to see photos of the house decorated for Christmas Click here to see the ornaments from the parlor Christmas tree

Click to enlarge	Glorious Garden Festival - Sarah's Garden Always the third weekend in June The Glorious Garden Walk offers self-guided tours through some of the loveliest private gardens in the Bloomington-Normal community. This breathtaking adventure allows you to take in the beauty of these gardens, while taking your time to gather ideas and enjoy the many gifts nature has to offer. You may visit the gardens in any order on either Friday, June 20, from 1 to 8 p.m., or Saturday, June 21, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Maps and program books describing the gardens and locations may be picked up at the convenient, drive-up Garden Walk booth on the grounds of the David Davis Mansion, 1000 E. Monroe Dr., Bloomington, during Garden Walk hours. The Garden Walk is a fundraising effort that benefits Chestnut Health Systems and the David Davis Mansion Foundation. Funds raised help the David Davis Mansion restore its historic garden. Chestnut uses its funds to support services for families receiving counseling or addiction treatment at Chestnut. Tickets for the Garden Walk are: $12 in advance $15 the weekends of the event $7 for children 1-17 Tickets will go on sale in May at these locations: Normal: Garlic Press, 108 W. North St Green View Companies, 1813 Industrial Park Rd. Little Village Treasures, 1503 E. College Ave. Wild Birds Unlimited, 1520 E. College Ave. Bloomington Casey's Garden Shop, 1505 N. Main The Copy Shop, 519 N. Main Grieder Sod & Landscaping, 1804 Towanda Barnes Rd. Wendell Neipagen Greenhouses, 2010 Fox Creek Rd. Schunks Supermaket, 1701 E. Empire Sunburst Nursery/Penn Landscaping, 2407 S. Main St. If it rains, bring your umbrella! The Glorious Garden Walk will proceed rain or shine! Volunteer The David Davis Mansion Foundation and Chestnut Health Systems would not be able to co-host this event without the terrific support of volunteers. Well over 100 volunteers support this event by staffing the gardens to ensure an enjoyable time for participants. Anyone interested in volunteering may call the mansion at: Phone: (309) 828-1084 Email: Glorious Garden Festival Sponsors Click here to see photos from previous Garden Festivals Click here for more information on the 2007 Glorious Garden Festival

The Blessings of the Table: Thanksgiving at Clover Lawn
November - Free
The house is decorated for a traditional New England Thanksgiving celebration (Sarah Davis was a native of Massachusetts), featuring the bountiful foods and dining customs of the Victorian era.

Looking for Lincoln and Davis
Special exhibits and educational programs, related to Abraham Lincoln and David Davis, are part of a new statewide tourism program.

Sarah's Garden Restoration
This project will complete Phase III of the restoration and provide annual maintenance.

Educational Programs
Special site tours (such as Mr. Lincoln's Birthday), special school programs, and classroom presentations are just some of the site's educational programs. Call for information and reservations.