David Davis Mansion

Not to be confused with the David Davis III & IV House, two blocks away.
David Davis Mansion

The David Davis Mansion is a National Historic Landmark.
Location 1000 E. Monroe Dr., Bloomington, Illinois
Coordinates 40°28′56″N 88°58′47″W / 40.48222°N 88.97972°W / 40.48222; -88.97972Coordinates: 40°28′56″N 88°58′47″W / 40.48222°N 88.97972°W / 40.48222; -88.97972
Area 4.5 acres (1.8 ha)
Built 1870-1872
Architect Alfred H. Piquenard
Architectural style Victorian, Italianate
NRHP Reference # 72001479[1]
Significant dates
Added to NRHP October 18, 1972
Designated NHL May 15, 1975[2]

The David Davis Mansion, also known as Clover Lawn, is a Victorian home in Bloomington, Illinois that was the residence of David Davis, Supreme Court justice (1862–1877) and Senator from Illinois. The mansion has been a state museum since 1960. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972 and was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1975.[2]

Set in a residential neighborhood on Bloomington's near-south-side, the three-story yellow brick mansion comprises 36 rooms in an Italianate villa style. The mansion's lot includes an 1872 wood house, a barn and stable, privies, a foaling shed, carriage barn, and a flower and ornamental cutting garden. "Sarah's Garden", the Victorian cut flower garden, with original heirloom roses and perennials began restoration in 2001 and is near completion.[3]

History

Clover Lawn National Historic Landmark.

Clover Lawn was built between 1870 and 1872 and is where Justice Davis lived until his death in 1886. Davis commissioned French-born architect Alfred H. Piquenard to design the mansion, which combines Italianate and Second Empire architectural features and is a model of mid-Victorian style and taste. Piquenard was a prominent Midwest architect who designed the State Capitol in Springfield. The home was meant as a residence for Davis' wife, Sarah. David Davis himself spent most of his time there after his retirement from the U.S. Senate in 1883. The house remained in the Davis family until 1960, when it was donated to the state of Illinois, which operates it as a state historic site.

Tours

David Davis Mansion—eastern side (c. 1940s)

The home is open to the general public from Wednesday through Saturday. The home hosts many seasonal events including "The Glorious Garden Festival" and "The Blessings of the Table" at Thanksgiving. During the winter holiday season the mansion is lavishly decorated for the Christmas holiday. Gas light tours are offered during the month of December, for a modest amount more than the general donation.

References

  1. ↑ National Park Service (2010-07-09). "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service.
  2. 1 2 "Davis, David, House". National Historic Landmark summary listing. National Park Service. Retrieved 2007-10-06.
  3. ↑ National Historic Landmarks Program

Further reading

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