David Davis Mansion facts for kids
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David Davis House
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The David Davis Mansion is a National Historic Landmark.
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 Location in Illinois
Location in the United States
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| Location | 1000 E. Monroe Dr., Bloomington, Illinois |
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| Area | 4.5 acres (1.8 ha) |
| Built | 1870-1872 |
| Architect | Alfred H. Piquenard |
| Architectural style | Victorian, Italianate |
| NRHP reference No. | 72001479 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | October 18, 1972 |
| Designated NHL | May 15, 1975 |
The David Davis Mansion, also known as Clover Lawn, is a Victorian home in Bloomington, Illinois that was the residence of David Davis, Supreme Court justice (1862–1877) and Senator from Illinois. The mansion has been a state museum since 1960. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972 and was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1975. In celebration of the 2018 Illinois Bicentennial, David Davis Mansion was selected as one of the Illinois 200 Great Places by the American Institute of Architects Illinois component (AIA Illinois).
Set in a residential neighborhood on Bloomington's near-south-side, the three-story yellow brick mansion comprises 36 rooms in an Italianate villa style. The mansion's lot includes an 1872 wood house, a barn and stable, privies, a foaling shed, carriage barn, and a flower and ornamental cutting garden. "Sarah's Garden", the Victorian cut flower garden, with original heirloom roses and perennials began restoration in 2001.
History
Clover Lawn was built between 1870 and 1872 and is where Justice Davis lived until his death in 1886. Davis commissioned French-born architect Alfred H. Piquenard to design the mansion, which combines Italianate and Second Empire architectural features and is a model of mid-Victorian style and taste. Piquenard was a prominent Midwest architect who designed the State Capitol in Springfield. The home was meant as a residence for Davis' wife, Sarah. David Davis himself spent most of his time there after his retirement from the U.S. Senate in 1883. The house remained in the Davis family until 1960, when it was donated to the state of Illinois, which operates it as a state historic site.
Tours
The home is open to the general public from Wednesday through Saturday. The home hosts many seasonal events including "The Glorious Garden Festival" and "The Blessings of the Table" at Thanksgiving. During the winter holiday season the mansion is lavishly decorated for the Christmas holiday. Gas light tours are offered during the month of December, for a modest amount more than the general donation.
- Keene, John T. David Davis Mansion, National Register of Historic Places Inventory - Nomination Form, December 15, 1971, HAARGIS Database, Illinois Historic Preservation Agency, accessed August 31, 2008.
