Springfield, IL: Frank and Abraham

Mom and I spent the day in Springfield during one of her days on her visit.  She found out that there was a Frank Lloyd Wright House in downtown Springfield (you may also remember from this post when we went to a FLW house here in St Louis) so she immediately wanted to go.  I wasn't sure what to expect, but when we got there, I was amazed.

 

The home, the 72nd building designed by Wright, contains the largest collection of site-specific, original Wright art glass and furniture. Wright’s first “blank check” commission, the home has 35 rooms in the 12,000 square feet of living space which includes 3 main levels and 16 varying levels in all. Can you imagine living in 1900 and saying you had a home that had 16 levels.  Also, another interesting fact; when she commissioned FLW, he was given a limitless fund for his design, and the owner was bequeathed her fathers estate and estimated $6 million dollars. FLW's total bill invoiced: $60,000.  You couldn't hardly get an addition built on to your house in todays world for that money. 

 

 We weren't allowed to take any photos inside the home, but let me just say that the glass on the outside pales in comparison to the views of the glass on the inside.  Sheer works of art. 

Frank was in love with Japanese design and modernism in his time, so he added nuances to his home to reflect his respect and admiration of their architectural design. If you are ever randomly in Springfield, you NEED to go to see this home.  It was amazing. 

After leaving the Dana-Thomas house, we drove past the State Capitol Building (shame on me that I've lived in Illinois for almost 3 years and this was my first time there).  Your random Capitol fact of the day (brought to you by my Mother): The Illinois capitol is the tallest non-skyscraper capitol, even exceeding the height of the United States Capitol in Washington, DC.

We ended the afternoon excursion with a visit to Abraham Lincolns Tomb.  Again, I had no idea what to expect, but it impressed me.  

There's a bronze statue in from of the monument that you're supposed to rub Abe's nose for good luck.  Mom followed suit; I couldn't stop thinking of the germs and bacteria from all those hands.  Blegh.  

Inside, there was a roundabout walkway with several statues and busts of Abe over the years, and then you were able to approach his headstone.  They told us that he's not actually buried directly below the monument, but 30 feet behind it and 10 feet into the ground.  Apparently there were several successful attempts at grave robbing the President that they had to bury him that deep. Poor guy. There were a few interesting facts: there are no blood ancestors left of Abraham Lincoln.  I find that fascinating.  Also, all of his family (wife, daughter and younger son) are all buried with him except his oldest son.  He was adamant to be buried with his family when he died, but his wife ignored his wishes and had him buried in Arlington Cemetery. 

Very fun day together.  Lots of history, but so many interesting things so close to home.  Who knew?!