SPRINGFIELD, IL – A popular and traditional holiday activity returns to the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Dana-Thomas House State Historic Site in Springfield during Children’s Story Hour to be held Thursday, December 29.

 

            Children’s Story Hour, reminiscent of the times one hundred years ago this December when Susan Lawrence Dana would invite children into her home for reading and fun, will feature sessions at 9:30 and 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.  This year’s storyteller will be Mike Anderson of Jacksonville, Illinois.  Each child will receive a treat at the end of the session.  Space is limited, so reservations are required.  Each session lasts about 45 minutes.

 

            The Dana-Thomas House will be closed Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, reopening Saturday, January 7.  The site is closed Monday and Tuesday throughout the year, including the month of December.  The residence will be open for holiday tours on Saturday, December 31 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., which is the final day to see the house decorated for the holidays.

 

            All holiday events at the site are sponsored by the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency, which administers the Dana-Thomas House State Historic Site, and the Dana-Thomas House Foundation.

 

            The Dana-Thomas House State Historic Site was designed by world-famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright and built in 1902 – 1904 for Springfield socialite Susan Lawrence Dana.  The restored house is the most complete of Wright’s early Prairie Style dwellings, with more than 100 pieces of original Wright-designed furniture and more than 450 art glass windows and fixtures.

 

            This December marks the end of the centennial celebration of Susan Dana’s grand unveiling of her newly completed home in December 1904.  She hosted numerous special events at her residence, and the site has re-created her 1904 Country Store in the basement bowling alley and billiard room.  It may be seen and purchases made there until December 31.  The Dana-Thomas House Foundation is also maintaining its regular retail Sumac Shop in the Visitors Center in the original site Carriage House.  The Foundation continues its work as the not-for-profit support organization for the Dana-Thomas House.