Vachel Lindsay House facts for kids
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Vachel Lindsay House
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Vachel Lindsay House
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 Location in Illinois
Location in the United States
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| Location | 603 South Fifth Street, Springfield, Illinois |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1848 |
| Architect | Henry Dresser |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 71000297 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | November 11, 1971 |
| Designated NHL | November 11, 1971 |
The Vachel Lindsay House is a special old home located at 603 South 5th Street in Springfield, Illinois. It's now a historic house museum, which means it's kept just like it used to be so people can visit and learn. This house was built way back in 1848. It was the birthplace and the home for most of his life for a famous poet named Vachel Lindsay. He lived from 1879 to 1931.
Because of its importance, the house was named a National Historic Landmark in 1971. Today, the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency takes care of the house. They offer tours that teach visitors about Vachel Lindsay's amazing poetry and art. The museum is open during certain times of the year.
Contents
Discovering the Vachel Lindsay House
The Vachel Lindsay House is found close to the center of Springfield. It sits on the corner of South 5th and East Edwards Streets. This house is a two-story building made of wood. It has a pointed roof at the front and its outside walls are covered with wooden boards.
Outside the House
The front of the house is wide, with five sections. A porch with a flat roof stretches across the middle three sections. This porch has square posts and a fancy decorated edge. The main door has a Greek Revival style frame around it. However, the door itself was added later and has a more Victorian look.
Inside the House
On the first floor, you will find an entry hall, two sitting rooms, a library, a dining room, a kitchen, a bathroom, and a pantry. The second floor has a central hallway, a sewing room, five bedrooms, another bathroom, and a storage room.
The rooms are decorated in the style of the late Victorian era. You can see some very special items inside. These include the bed where Vachel Lindsay was born. There is also a desk that he built himself. You can even see the table where he wrote many of his famous poems.
Who Was Vachel Lindsay?
Nicholas Vachel Lindsay was born in this very house in 1879. When he was young, he first wanted to be an artist. But then, he found out he had a special talent for writing poetry. His first book of poems was published in 1913.
Lindsay's Unique Poetry
In 1914, his poem "The Congo" was published. This poem made him very famous. Vachel Lindsay had a unique and special way of writing poetry for his time. He used everyday language that people understood. When he performed his poems in public, he would often chant them in a singing way. This made his performances very memorable.
The House Becomes a Museum
After Vachel Lindsay passed away, his family sold the house to a non-profit group. This group then opened the house as a museum in 1960. This allowed people to visit and learn about the life and work of this important American poet.
Images for kids
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House in 2012
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