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 Updated: 4/29/2011 
Springfield Art Association/Edwards Place historic home
Springfield, Illinois
Description

The Springfield Art Association was founded in 1913 as an art school and exhibition facility. Originally the Edwards Place home was donated to the Springfield Art Club to house the school. In the 1960s the historic house was added to the national historic register and made into a museum. Over the years the SAA has grown to a 7 acre campus that include the School of Art, Gallery of Art, and the Michael Victor II Art Library.

Mission

The Springfield Art Association, a visual arts organization, promotes and supports the advancement of the arts, provides educational opportunities for the greater Springfield area and also preserves the historic Edwards Place House and the collections of the Association.

History

The oldest home in Springfield, Edwards Place was built in 1833 for a local physician and landowner named Thomas Houghan. A young attorney named Benjamin Edwards and his wife Helen purchased the house in 1843 and subsequently remodeled it at least twice. Benjamin was a brother to Ninan Wirt Edwards, Abraham Lincoln's brother-in-law. During the 19th century Edwards Place was a center for social activity in Springfield. Prominent citizens and politicians such as Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas were entertained at lavish dinner parties and the grounds played host to many summer picnics and political rallies.
The Edwards family occupied the home until Helen Edwards's death in 1909. Four years later, Alice Edwards Ferguson donated Edwards Place to the newly-formed Springfield Art Association for use as gallery and glassroom space.
Today Edwards Place is interpreted as a historic home from the mid-19th century. A visit to Edwards Place will include a guided tour through the formal receiving parlor, music room, family dining room and the second-floor bedrooms. The home is furnished with wonderful examples of Victorian furniture, including many pieces that belonged to the Edwards Family. You also will see the authentic "Lincoln Courting Couch" from the parlor of the Ninian Edwards home where Abraham Lincoln and Mary Todd were married.

Artifact Collections

Edwards Place historic home houses a significant collection of mid-19th century decorative arts and furnishings. In addition, the Springfield Art Association's permanent collection consists of early-to-mid 20th century artwork, ethnographic artifacts, and antique toys.

Research Collections

The Michael Victor II Art Library is a privately funded specialized library open to the public. features some 5,000 volumes on the visual arts, including a large selection of current art periodicals, video tapes, DVDs, and children's books. The library is a member of the Rolling Prairie Library System of central Illinois.

Programs

Springfield Art Association's School of Art offers a wide variety of classes throughout the year for children and adults, including ceramics; jewelry making; drawing; and oil, watercolor, and acrylic painting.

Tours of Edwards Place historic home are conducted by trained interpereters.

The Micheal Victor II Art Library offers several art-related programs. The library sponsors noon-hour video screenings and lectures as well as art talks. The annual film festival series shown at a local theater is organized in conjunction with the Springfield Area Arts Council. A used book and magazine sale is held annualy durign the Edwards Place Fine Crafts Fair.

Governance

Edwards Place historic site is owned by the Springfield Art Association, which is governed by a board of directors.

Library

Access: General Public, Students, Scholars, Members

Appointment required: False

Services
Event Rental
Group Tours
Address
700 N. Fourth Street
Springfield, IL 62702
home page: www.springfieldart.org
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Hours of Operation

Tours of Edwards Place historic home are available on the hour Tuesday through Saturday 11 a.m.-2 p.m. The Springfield Art Associaton's gallery and Michael Vidtor II Art Library hours are 9 a.m.-5p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturdays.

Admission
Museum Type(s)
Art
History
Historic House
Library
Staff
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