Dana–Thomas House: Difference between revisions
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{{short description|Historic house in Illinois, United States}} |
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{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}} |
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{{Infobox NRHP |
{{Infobox NRHP |
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| name =Susan Lawrence Dana House |
| name = Susan Lawrence Dana House |
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| nrhp_type =nhl |
| nrhp_type = nhl |
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| designated_other1 = |
| designated_other1 = |
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| designated_other1_name = [[Illinois Historic Preservation Agency|Illinois State Historic Site]] |
| designated_other1_name = [[Illinois Historic Preservation Agency|Illinois State Historic Site]] |
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| image = Susan Lawrence Dana House (7167054249).jpg |
| image = Susan Lawrence Dana House (7167054249).jpg |
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| caption = Dana-Thomas House |
| caption = Dana-Thomas House |
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| location= [[Springfield, Illinois]] |
| location = [[Springfield, Illinois]] |
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| coordinates = {{coord|39|47|39.6|N|89|39|5|W|display=inline,title}} |
| coordinates = {{coord|39|47|39.6|N|89|39|5|W|display=inline,title}} |
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| locmapin = USA Illinois#USA |
| locmapin = USA Illinois#USA |
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| mapframe = yes |
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| mapframe-marker = building |
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| mapframe-zoom = 12 |
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|mapframe-caption = Interactive map showing the Dana-Thomas House’s location |
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| area = |
| area = |
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| built = 1902 |
| built = 1902 |
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| architect= [[Frank Lloyd Wright]] |
| architect = [[Frank Lloyd Wright]] |
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| architecture = |
| architecture = |
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| designated_nrhp_type = January 7, 1976<ref name="nhlsum">{{cite web |url=http://tps.cr.nps.gov/nhl/detail.cfm?ResourceId=1435&ResourceType=Building |title=Dana, Susan Lawrence, House |access-date=2008-07-20 |work=National Historic Landmark summary listing |publisher=National Park Service |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080303145116/http://tps.cr.nps.gov/nhl/detail.cfm?ResourceId=1435&ResourceType=Building |archive-date=2008-03-03 }}</ref> |
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| designated_nrhp_type = January 7, 1976<ref name="nhlsum">{{cite web |
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|url=http://tps.cr.nps.gov/nhl/detail.cfm?ResourceId=1435&ResourceType=Building |
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|title=Dana, Susan Lawrence, House |
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|accessdate=2008-07-20 |
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|work=National Historic Landmark summary listing |
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|publisher=National Park Service |
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|deadurl=yes |
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|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080303145116/http://tps.cr.nps.gov/nhl/detail.cfm?ResourceId=1435&ResourceType=Building |
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|archivedate=2008-03-03 |
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|df= |
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}}</ref> |
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| added = July 30, 1974 |
| added = July 30, 1974 |
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| governing_body = [[Illinois Historic Preservation Agency]] |
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| refnum = 74000774<ref name="nris">{{NRISref|2007a}}</ref> |
| refnum = 74000774<ref name="nris">{{NRISref|2007a}}</ref> |
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}} |
}} |
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[[ |
[[File:Dana House plans Springfield, IL.jpg|thumb|300px|First floor plan for the Dana–Thomas House]] |
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The '''Dana–Thomas House''' |
The '''Dana–Thomas House''' (also known as the '''Susan Lawrence Dana House''' and '''Dana House''') is a home in [[Prairie School]] style designed by architect [[Frank Lloyd Wright]]. Built from 1902–1904 for the philanthropist [[Susan Lawrence Dana]], it is located along East Lawrence Avenue in [[Springfield, Illinois]]. The home reflects the mutual affection of the patron and the architect for [[organic architecture]], the relatively flat landscape of the U.S. state of [[Illinois]], and the [[Japan]]ese aesthetic as expressed in [[Japonism|Japanese prints]].<ref name="Journal-Register">{{cite news |title=Doors close at Dana–Thomas House |url=http://www.sj-r.com/homepage/x776465273/Doors-close-at-Dana-Thomas-House |publisher=Springfield, Ill. [[State Journal-Register]] |date=2008-12-01 }}</ref> |
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==Susan Lawrence Dana== |
==Susan Lawrence Dana== |
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[[Susan Lawrence Dana]] (1862–1946) was an independent-minded woman and heiress to a substantial fortune, including [[silver]] mines in the [[Rocky Mountains]]. Widowed in 1900, Dana enjoyed complete control over her household and fortune. Eager to express her personality and become a leading philanthropic figure in Springfield, Dana decided to completely remodel her family's [[Italianate]] mansion located in the state capital's fashionable "Aristocracy Hill" neighborhood. |
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Dana's search for an architect to match her aspirations ended when she was introduced in 1902 to [[Frank Lloyd Wright]], the rising leader of the new [[Prairie School]] movement of "organic architecture" which stressed congruence between the interior of a building and its surroundings. |
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⚫ | The Dana [[commission (art)|commission]] to plan the remodeling of the Lawrences' Italianate mansion was the largest Wright had received. Recognizing a kindred spirit in Mrs. Dana, he expanded the boundaries of his contract to design and build what was, in effect, an entirely new house showcasing his approach to the Prairie Style aesthetic. |
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==Selecting an architect== |
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In 1893, Frank Lloyd Wright (1867–1959) left the office of his mentor, [[Louis Sullivan]], and began to practice as an independent architect. Fully agreeing with Sullivan's doctrine of "organic architecture", Wright expanded it into a full-fledged system of congruence between the interior of a building and its surroundings, which came to be called the "[[Prairie Style]]". |
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⚫ | The new home reflected the flamboyant personalities of the patron and the architect, particularly their love of Japanese prints and drawings. The structure was designed for both display and entertainment. An arched doorway admitted guests into a series of expanding spaces, transitioning from vestibule to the reception hall. |
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⚫ | |||
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⚫ | The concept of "expanding space" was repeated throughout the house,<ref name="Journal-Register"/> with windows placed to continually draw the attention of someone within toward an awareness of the outside. Wright designed approximately 450 [[art glass]] windows, skylights, door panels, [[sconce (light fixture)|sconce]]s, and light fixtures for the house, most of which survive. Much of the art glass, and the mural by [[George Mann Niedecken]] surmounting the dining room interior, centered on a [[sumac]] motif. |
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⚫ | A substantial west wing leads visitors through an interior [[Torii]] gate into two of the largest rooms in the house. The upper-level gallery was used for musical entertaining, and the ground-level library contains special easels, part of more than 100 pieces of free-standing Wright-designed [[white oak]] furniture in the house, created for Dana to display selections from her collection of Japanese prints,. |
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⚫ | |||
⚫ | The concept of "expanding space" was repeated throughout the house,<ref name="Journal-Register"/> with |
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⚫ | Dana lived in the home from 1904 until about 1928. Once a successful hostess and leader of Springfield's social scene, she became increasingly reclusive over time and turned her attention to [[Spiritualism (movement)|spiritualism]] and the [[occult]]. Suffering from increasing financial constraints in her later years, she closed the main house around 1928 and moved to a small cottage on the grounds. As Dana struggled with age-related [[dementia]] in the 1940s, her home and its contents were sold.<ref name="Journal-Register"/> |
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⚫ | A substantial west wing leads visitors through an interior [[Torii]] gate into two of the largest rooms in the house. The upper-level gallery was used for musical entertaining, and the ground-level |
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==Dana-Thomas House== |
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⚫ | Charles C. Thomas, a successful medical publisher, was the second owner and custodian of the home from 1944 to his death in 1969. A view of the building was featured on the title pages of some of his publications. His wife Nanette maintained in that role until her passing in 1975. The couple are credited with maintaining the house's original furnishings and design, and their estate with selling the home and its furnishings as a unit to the state of Illinois in 1981 for $1.0 million, significantly less than could have been earned had the household been broken up.<ref name="Journal-Register"/> |
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==Dana–Thomas House today== |
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== |
==The home today== |
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⚫ | The home became a state historic site under the [[Illinois Historic Preservation Agency]] (IHPA). The IHPA led a restoration effort in 1987–1990 that restored the structure and its contents to its appearance in 1910. It is believed to contain one of the most intact Frank Lloyd Wright designed interiors in the United States.<ref name="Journal-Register"/> Restoration plans and documents are held by the [[Ryerson & Burnham|Ryerson & Burnham Libraries]] at the [[Art Institute of Chicago]]. |
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⚫ | Charles C Thomas, a successful medical publisher, was the second owner and custodian of the |
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⚫ | The house was featured in [[Bob Vila]]'s [[A&E Network]] 1996 production, ''Guide to Historic Homes of America.''<ref name="Vila Historic America">{{cite web |url= http://www.bobvila.com/BVTV/AE/America.html |title= Guide to Historic Homes of America. |author= Bob Vila |author-link= Bob Vila |work= A&E Network |year= 1996 }}</ref> In celebration of the 2018 Illinois Bicentennial, the Dana Thomas House was selected as one of the Illinois 200 Great Places <ref>{{cite news|last=Waldinger|first=Mike|title=The proud history of architecture in Illinois|url=https://springfieldbusinessjournal.com/2018/01/the-proud-history-of-architecture-in-illinois/|access-date=30 January 2018|newspaper=Springfield Business Journal|date=January 30, 2018}}</ref> by the [[American Institute of Architects]] Illinois component (AIA Illinois). |
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⚫ | The |
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⚫ | As part of a program of budget cuts, the state of Illinois temporarily closed the Dana–Thomas House to the public from December 1, 2008, until April 23, 2009.<ref name="Journal-Register"/><ref name="USA Today">{{cite news|title=Illinois to close historic sites, parks due to budget shortfall |url=https://www.usatoday.com/travel/destinations/2008-11-28-illinois-historic-sites-closing_N.htm|publisher=[[USA Today]]/[[Associated Press]]|date=2008-11-28}}</ref> The Dana–Thomas House again closed for 11 months in 2011 for renovations to interior and exterior finish as well as mechanical and security systems.<ref>{{cite news|last=Chris|first=Dettro|title=Dana–Thomas House work mostly behind the scenes|url=http://www.sj-r.com/top-stories/x809334261/Dana-Thomas-House-work-mostly-behind-the-scenes|access-date=4 December 2011|newspaper=The State Journal-Register|date=November 30, 2011}}</ref> |
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⚫ | The house was featured in [[Bob Vila]]'s [[A&E Network]] 1996 production, ''Guide to Historic Homes of America.''<ref name="Vila Historic America">{{cite web |url= http://www.bobvila.com/BVTV/AE/America.html |title= Guide to Historic Homes of America. |author= |
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==See also== |
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===Temporary shutdowns=== |
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* [[List of Frank Lloyd Wright works]] |
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⚫ | As part of a program of budget cuts, the state of Illinois temporarily closed the Dana–Thomas House to the public from December 1, 2008 until April 23, 2009.<ref name="Journal-Register"/><ref name="USA Today">{{cite news|title=Illinois to close historic sites, parks due to budget shortfall |url=https://www.usatoday.com/travel/destinations/2008-11-28-illinois-historic-sites-closing_N.htm|publisher=[[USA Today]]/[[Associated Press]]|date=2008-11-28}}</ref> The Dana–Thomas House again closed for 11 months in 2011 for renovations to interior and exterior finish as well as mechanical and security systems.<ref>{{cite news|last=Chris|first=Dettro|title=Dana–Thomas House work mostly behind the scenes|url=http://www.sj-r.com/top-stories/x809334261/Dana-Thomas-House-work-mostly-behind-the-scenes| |
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==References== |
==References== |
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{{Reflist |
{{Reflist}} |
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*William Allin Storrer, ''The Frank Lloyd Wright Companion''. University of Chicago Press, 2006, {{ISBN|0-226-77621-2}}, (S.072) |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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{{ |
{{Wikinews|Illinois budget cuts to close historic sites and parks}} |
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*{{ |
*{{Commons category-inline|Dana-Thomas House}} |
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*{{Official website |http://www.dana-thomas.org/}} |
*{{Official website |http://www.dana-thomas.org/}} |
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*[http://www.state.il.us/hpa/hs/dana_thomas.htm State of Illinois site] |
*[http://www.state.il.us/hpa/hs/dana_thomas.htm State of Illinois site] |
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*{{HABS |survey=IL-1188 |id=il0740 |title=Susan Lawrence Dana House, 301 East Lawrence Avenue, Springfield, Sangamon County, IL |dwgs=15}} |
*{{HABS |survey=IL-1188 |id=il0740 |title=Susan Lawrence Dana House, 301 East Lawrence Avenue, Springfield, Sangamon County, IL |dwgs=15}} |
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*[http://speakingofhistory.blogspot.com/2007/06/podcast-88-dana-thomas-house-tour-frank.html Speaking of History Podcast about touring the Dana Thomas House in June 2007] |
*[http://speakingofhistory.blogspot.com/2007/06/podcast-88-dana-thomas-house-tour-frank.html Speaking of History Podcast about touring the Dana Thomas House in June 2007] |
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*[http://www.arcaid.co.uk/search.php?inc=quickSearch&search=10042- Photos on Arcaid] |
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20110904064803/http://www.arcaid.co.uk/search.php?inc=quickSearch&search=10042- Photos on Arcaid] |
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*[http://www.illinoisgreatplaces.com/#welcome Illinois Great Places] - [http://www.illinoisgreatplaces.com/#detail/danathomas_house-016 Dana Thomas House] |
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*[http://sah-archipedia.org/buildings/IL-01-167-0088 Society of Architectural Historians ARCHIPEDIA entry on the Susan Lawrence Dana House] |
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*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-PBFHQjzQFY Computer animation of Dana-Thomas House by Razin Khan] |
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{{Registered Historic Places}} |
{{Registered Historic Places}} |
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{{Protected areas of Illinois}} |
{{Protected areas of Illinois}} |
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{{Frank Lloyd Wright}} |
{{Frank Lloyd Wright}} |
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{{Authority control}} |
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Dana-Thomas House}} |
{{DEFAULTSORT:Dana-Thomas House}} |
Latest revision as of 01:04, 26 March 2024
This article needs additional citations for verification. (July 2010) |
Susan Lawrence Dana House | |
Standort | Springfield, Illinois |
---|---|
Coordinates | 39°47′39.6″N 89°39′5″W / 39.794333°N 89.65139°W |
Built | 1902 |
Architect | Frank Lloyd Wright |
NRHP reference No. | 74000774[1] |
Significant dates | |
Added to NRHP | July 30, 1974 |
Designated NHL | January 7, 1976[2] |
The Dana–Thomas House (also known as the Susan Lawrence Dana House and Dana House) is a home in Prairie School style designed by architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Built from 1902–1904 for the philanthropist Susan Lawrence Dana, it is located along East Lawrence Avenue in Springfield, Illinois. The home reflects the mutual affection of the patron and the architect for organic architecture, the relatively flat landscape of the U.S. state of Illinois, and the Japanese aesthetic as expressed in Japanese prints.[3]
Susan Lawrence Dana
[edit]Susan Lawrence Dana (1862–1946) was an independent-minded woman and heiress to a substantial fortune, including silver mines in the Rocky Mountains. Widowed in 1900, Dana enjoyed complete control over her household and fortune. Eager to express her personality and become a leading philanthropic figure in Springfield, Dana decided to completely remodel her family's Italianate mansion located in the state capital's fashionable "Aristocracy Hill" neighborhood.
Dana House
[edit]Dana's search for an architect to match her aspirations ended when she was introduced in 1902 to Frank Lloyd Wright, the rising leader of the new Prairie School movement of "organic architecture" which stressed congruence between the interior of a building and its surroundings.
The Dana commission to plan the remodeling of the Lawrences' Italianate mansion was the largest Wright had received. Recognizing a kindred spirit in Mrs. Dana, he expanded the boundaries of his contract to design and build what was, in effect, an entirely new house showcasing his approach to the Prairie Style aesthetic.
The new home reflected the flamboyant personalities of the patron and the architect, particularly their love of Japanese prints and drawings. The structure was designed for both display and entertainment. An arched doorway admitted guests into a series of expanding spaces, transitioning from vestibule to the reception hall.
The concept of "expanding space" was repeated throughout the house,[3] with windows placed to continually draw the attention of someone within toward an awareness of the outside. Wright designed approximately 450 art glass windows, skylights, door panels, sconces, and light fixtures for the house, most of which survive. Much of the art glass, and the mural by George Mann Niedecken surmounting the dining room interior, centered on a sumac motif.
A substantial west wing leads visitors through an interior Torii gate into two of the largest rooms in the house. The upper-level gallery was used for musical entertaining, and the ground-level library contains special easels, part of more than 100 pieces of free-standing Wright-designed white oak furniture in the house, created for Dana to display selections from her collection of Japanese prints,.
Dana lived in the home from 1904 until about 1928. Once a successful hostess and leader of Springfield's social scene, she became increasingly reclusive over time and turned her attention to spiritualism and the occult. Suffering from increasing financial constraints in her later years, she closed the main house around 1928 and moved to a small cottage on the grounds. As Dana struggled with age-related dementia in the 1940s, her home and its contents were sold.[3]
Dana-Thomas House
[edit]Charles C. Thomas, a successful medical publisher, was the second owner and custodian of the home from 1944 to his death in 1969. A view of the building was featured on the title pages of some of his publications. His wife Nanette maintained in that role until her passing in 1975. The couple are credited with maintaining the house's original furnishings and design, and their estate with selling the home and its furnishings as a unit to the state of Illinois in 1981 for $1.0 million, significantly less than could have been earned had the household been broken up.[3]
The home today
[edit]The home became a state historic site under the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency (IHPA). The IHPA led a restoration effort in 1987–1990 that restored the structure and its contents to its appearance in 1910. It is believed to contain one of the most intact Frank Lloyd Wright designed interiors in the United States.[3] Restoration plans and documents are held by the Ryerson & Burnham Libraries at the Art Institute of Chicago.
The house was featured in Bob Vila's A&E Network 1996 production, Guide to Historic Homes of America.[4] In celebration of the 2018 Illinois Bicentennial, the Dana Thomas House was selected as one of the Illinois 200 Great Places [5] by the American Institute of Architects Illinois component (AIA Illinois).
As part of a program of budget cuts, the state of Illinois temporarily closed the Dana–Thomas House to the public from December 1, 2008, until April 23, 2009.[3][6] The Dana–Thomas House again closed for 11 months in 2011 for renovations to interior and exterior finish as well as mechanical and security systems.[7]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. January 23, 2007.
- ^ "Dana, Susan Lawrence, House". National Historic Landmark summary listing. National Park Service. Archived from the original on March 3, 2008. Retrieved July 20, 2008.
- ^ a b c d e f "Doors close at Dana–Thomas House". Springfield, Ill. State Journal-Register. December 1, 2008.
- ^ Bob Vila (1996). "Guide to Historic Homes of America". A&E Network.
- ^ Waldinger, Mike (January 30, 2018). "The proud history of architecture in Illinois". Springfield Business Journal. Retrieved January 30, 2018.
- ^ "Illinois to close historic sites, parks due to budget shortfall". USA Today/Associated Press. November 28, 2008.
- ^ Chris, Dettro (November 30, 2011). "Dana–Thomas House work mostly behind the scenes". The State Journal-Register. Retrieved December 4, 2011.
- William Allin Storrer, The Frank Lloyd Wright Companion. University of Chicago Press, 2006, ISBN 0-226-77621-2, (S.072)
External links
[edit]- Media related to Dana-Thomas House at Wikimedia Commons
- Official website
- State of Illinois site
- Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS) No. IL-1188, "Susan Lawrence Dana House, 301 East Lawrence Avenue, Springfield, Sangamon County, IL", 15 measured drawings
- Speaking of History Podcast about touring the Dana Thomas House in June 2007
- Photos on Arcaid
- Illinois Great Places - Dana Thomas House
- Society of Architectural Historians ARCHIPEDIA entry on the Susan Lawrence Dana House
- Computer animation of Dana-Thomas House by Razin Khan
- Houses completed in 1904
- Frank Lloyd Wright buildings
- National Historic Landmarks in Illinois
- National Register of Historic Places in Springfield, Illinois
- Houses on the National Register of Historic Places in Illinois
- Historic American Buildings Survey in Illinois
- Houses in Springfield, Illinois
- Historic house museums in Illinois
- Illinois State Historic Sites
- Museums in Springfield, Illinois