Restoring the People’s House: IL Executive Mansion Reopens

This month’s Brown Bag Lunch / Local Lore will explore Restoring the People’s House: Illinois’ Executive Mansion. Justin Blandford, of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, will offer interesting insights and inspiring stories about the Illinois Executive Mansion, home to Illinois governors and their families since 1855. It is the third oldest continuously occupied governor’s mansion in the United States and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976.

The Executive Mansion will reopen in July 2018 following a meticulous and privately funded restoration, led by First Lady Diana Rauner. The restored Mansion and its grounds will be accessible and open for tours by professionally trained guides. New features include a visitor center, orientation film, and The Art of Illinois exhibition, which will showcase more than 70 works of fine and decorative art in the parlors of the historic residence.

April’s Brown Bag Lunch will be held at the Ellwood House Visitor’s Center behind the Ellwood House, at 509 N. 1st Street in DeKalb. Doors open at 11:30am, lecture begins at noon.