Tuesday, October 31, 2006

Lincoln's Ghost Walk


Halloween night, October 31, is your last chance in 2006 to take "Lincoln's Ghost Walk."

The walk takes 90 minutes and covers 12 blocks of historic neighborhoods in central Springfield.

Information on where to buy tickets is at this site.

If you see any ghosts, please report them in the comment below.

And . . . BOO!

Saturday, October 28, 2006

End in Sight!

Dulany Sriner sent these images of the rear elevator addition, where construction is nearly done. Landscaping has begun with placement of several large sandstone boulders. (Click on the pictures to see enlargments.)

A sloping board walk with hand rails provides access for disabled visitors. The addition is a concession to modern design, but its windows and materials complement the original Greek Revival style. Ground cover and shrubs will complete the project, just before winter closes in.

Thursday, October 19, 2006

Southern Illinois

Dulany Sriner sent these images of a fall trip he and his wife made to southern Illinois.

"From Carbondale and the Salukis at homecoming to Chester, Illinois, the home of Popeye, we looped down to the southernmost tip of Illinois in Cairo, then headed down the Ohio river and up the Mississippi."

The pictures remind us that Illinois extends from the Great Lakes to the southern Delta. And also that Springfield sits on the Mason-Dixon line, home to settlers from north and south.

Thanks to Dulany for his pictures. Click on them to see enlargements, and visit D's Digitals for even more images of Illinois, Springfield, and the Iles House.

Thursday, October 12, 2006

Autumn Events

Fall has arrived at Iles House, as you may see from the colorful display of mums and other autumn flowers in the front garden on Seventh Street.


On the south side (Cook Street), the picket and board fence is in view, and also the elevator shaft.


At the rear, construction nears completion. A handsome board walk descends through a garden area. By next spring, it will bloom as well.

To see the schedule of House events, click on "Iles House Calendar" in the right column.

Thanks to Dick Hart and Dulany Sriner for the pictures. Click on them to see enlargements!

Tuesday, October 03, 2006

Elevator Progress

Workmen continue to make progress on the elevator at the rear of the Iles House. Exterior carpentry is complete and now masonry begins. The bricks will match those on the lower level of the house.

When finished, the House will have an attractive rear entrance to the Museum of Springfield History and easy access to the upper floors. Thanks to Dick Hart for the picture.

Please note the Iles House Calendar in the upper-right list of links. Click there to see a schedule of forthcoming events.