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Stephanie DeFraties, Beckie Dilley, and Jennifer Couts The Vachel Lindsay Home, which is located at 603 South Fifth Street in Springfield, Illinois, is a popular historic site. The home became the Lindsay Home in 1878 when Vachel Lindsay's father bought the home; Vachel was born there in 1879. It was the only home the poet ever knew. The house was first owned by Ann Smith, the sister of Abraham Lincoln's wife Mary. A grand party was given for the Lincoln's in the parlor of the house just before they went to Washington, D.C. In fact, the president stayed in the house the night before going to Washington for his inauguration. The home sits on the southwest corner of Edwards and Fifth Streets, next to the Governor's Mansion. Lindsay looked out of his bedroom window onto the mansion lawns while writing poetry. The home has eleven to twelve rooms, depending on one's reference. It was built and designed in 1846 by Dresser, who also built the Lincoln home. It has an immaculate staircase which was designed by the poet's mother who was an artist. His mother also designed the beautiful cut glass front door window. The home has most of its original furnishings today. Lindsay loved Springfield and the family home. He referred to it as his "Heart's Home," his spiritual center. Lindsay brought his wife and two children to the home to settle in 1929, and he ended his life there in 1931. In the late 1950's the Vachel Lindsay Association bought the home for $30,000. They opened the home to the public in the early 1960's after many renovations took place. The funds used to renovate the home were acquired through donations made by the kind, good-hearted citizens of the United States and friends of Lindsay. These renovations cost $726,780. The house was purchased by the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency in October of 1990 and closed for extensive renovations in November of 1994. The house re-opened on November 10, 2001, the poet's 122nd birthday, after a $846,450 state-funded restoration and rehabilitation project which has returned the structure to its early 1900's appearance. The Vachel Lindsay House is now open Tuesday &endash; Saturday from 12:00 p.m. &endash; 4:00 p.m. Anyone interested in a tour or volunteer opportunities at the home should contact the curator, Jennie Battles, at (217) 524-0901.
Sources Cue Magazine State Journal-Register Vachel Lindsay Association Illinois Bar Journal Illinois State Library Picture Collection Lindsay Home Tour Packet |
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