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ARTS & CULTURE
THRIVE IN SPI • SPRINGFIELD SANGAMON GROWTH ALLIANCE
Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception
Dana-Thomas House
ARCHITECTURE & DESIGN
Dana-Thomas House The Dana-Thomas House is a 12,000-square-foot building with 35 rooms, including a two-story living room. Designed by famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright in 1902, the home has 450 art glass windows, barrel-vaulted ceilings in the gallery and dining room, exquisite mural, and an indoor terracotta fountain near the entrance. There are also more than 100 pieces of furniture designed by Wright in the home. The Dana-Thomas house is the best preserved and most complete of Wright’s “prairie-style” homes. Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception Upon entering the doors of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, you’ll find a Roman Catholic Church with classic Italian architecture. The interior is said to be modeled after Pope Francis’ favorite church in Rome: the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore. The Cathedral features enormous coffered ceilings and ionic columns, a marble altar, 16 stained glass windows with illustrations and a tabernacle made of rare pink and black marble that sits on the high altar of the church’s back wall.
Christ Episcopal Church Built in 1888, the Christ Episcopal Church was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980 because of its rare Richardson Romanesque architectural style. The Church is now known locally for its unique rough mason block exterior, arched entryway and bell tower, a feature typical of Early English Gothic architecture. Old State Capitol In the 1960s, a restoration of the Old State Capitol here in Springfield aimed to restore the building to its 1858 condition – the time when Abraham Lincoln delivered his “House Divided” speech. The project involved meticulously dismantling the structure, using a coding system to track thousands of stones, and reconstructing it with the goal of accurately recreating its original state. The restoration is the subject of an Emmy- nominated documentary titled, “History Reborn.” Produced by The Storyteller Studios, the film features interviews with two of the architects involved in the project.
There is a growing focus on the celebration of and preservation of historic buildings in Springfield and Sangamon Counties. Hundreds of buildings in Central Illinois have special significance, and many are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In Springfield especially, you can find rich architectural beauty that will leave you in awe. Illinois State Capitol With a 405-foot dome, the Illinois State Capitol is taller than the United States Capitol. The Italian Renaissance Revival/Second Empire style building features an inner dome with stained glass and plaster friezes depicting significant historical events in the U.S. and Illinois. Edwards Place Edwards Place offers visitors a glimpse into the lifestyle of Springfield’s wealthy during the Victorian Era as they tour the Italianate mansion famous for hosting the courting couple Abraham Lincoln and Mary Todd.
Watch the “History Reborn” documentary
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