The Edwards Family's Neighbors and Servants
October 3, 6PM
Join Edwards Place and the Springfield Art Association as we kick off our FREE fall lecture series on the everyday folk of 19th century Springfield with a presentation on the Edwards Family's Neighbors and Servants. Curator Sarah Adams will share her research on the neighborhood of Enos Park directly surrounding the Edwards Place mansion, focusing on the neighborhood of 1860 and the people who worked for the Edwards primarily in the 1860s-1870s.
Crochet Pumpkins
October 5, 9am - NOON
YOU can become the "Fairy Godmother" of crocheting! Using a curved hook -
rather than a magic wand - you can learn how to transform lengths of yarn into
charming little pumpkins that will last for many seasons rather than just one. More
importantly, even when your pumpkins don't turn out exactly as expected, you can
usually "squash" them into shape. Note: Both beginners and those with crochet
experience are welcome.
This workshop takes place on the second floor of Edwards Place, which is only accessible by stairs.
Unsolved at the Edwards Soiree
Murder Mystery Dinner
October 18-19, 6:30PM
October 20, 4:30PM
$65/$60 for SAA members
At Edwards Place Murder Mystery dinner theatre, guests will help to solve a dastardly murder. You will interact with a motley crew of suspects to discover which of them committed the crime, all while enjoying a themed, catered meal. This year's theme is based off of our popular "Unsolved" board game, and follows suspects from the mid-19th century as they attend a soiree hosted by A. P. "Red" DeClaws. The show is written in-house and includes a dozen community members as actors and as director.
The meal is catered from Emerald's Eats and includes: House Salad Mixed greens, craisins, grapes, walnuts, feta cheese, maple balsamic vinaigrette. Grilled Lemon Chicken Thigh served over Penne Pasta tossed with Fresh Roasted Vegetables and Roasted Red Pepper Cream Sauce. Banana bread bars served with brown butter glaze and caramel. If you have dietary restrictions, you can state that when you purchase your ticket.
This event is for 21+ ages only.
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The Lincolns' Neighborhood
November 7, 6PM
Join Tim Townsend of Lincoln Home National Historic site as he discusses the Lincoln neighborhood. Attractions at Lincoln Home National Historic Site include a new self-guided exhibit titled “Lincoln’s Springfield” that explores the lives of six individuals and the impact they made on their community presented through engaging graphic novel style narratives. Visitors, especially their target audience of 10–14-year-olds, will leave this exhibit with an appreciation of how the diversity of people found in Abraham Lincoln’s Springfield represents the vision of American promise that Lincoln held dear. In his presentation, Townsend will provide insight into the lives of these six people, and how their stories are presented to the public in the exhibit. For information on the exhibit, visit https://www.nps.gov/liho/planyourvisit/lincoln-s-springfield.htm
Embroidered "Hand Turkeys"
November 9, 9am - NOON
As Thanksgiving approaches, very young children often get a chance to trace their hands on paper and then turn that drawing into a picture of a turkey using crayons, or colored paper and glue. You can kick this tradition up several notches! Learn how to trace a hand on a square of muslin instead of paper; then, instead of crayons, you you can use skeins of embroidery floss and a needle to create this new twist on a much loved Thanksgiving tradition. Note: Both beginners and those with embroidery experience are welcome. Disappearing ink will be available for tracing your hand.
This workshop takes place on the second floor of Edwards Place, which is only accessible by stairs.
The African American Community in Late 19th-Early 20th Century Springfield
December 5, 6PM
Join Dr. Brian Mitchell of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum for a talk on the African American community of late 19th-early 20th century Springfield. African American history in Springfield has been overshadowed by the legacy of the Springfield Riot/Massacre of 1908. Although traumatic, the massacre does little to illustrate the complexity and connectiveness of Black Springfield. Late 19th and Early 20th century Springfield, offered an abundance of opportunity for those African Americans who were enterprising, educated, and entrepreneurial. The story of Black Springfield is one of resiliency, community, and risk taking. My lecture explores some of the more notable personalities of Black Springfield in hopes of having a better understanding of Springfield’s diverse history.
Holiday Ornament Crafting
December 7, 9am - NOON
There are many celebrations and holiday traditions that occur during the winter months. Often these celebrations include the use or display of greenery shaped into wreaths or tied into boughs of evergreens, yew, oak, mistletoe, holly, rosemary, pine, ivy and others. Some decorations display foods for feasting such as ears of corn or sheaves of wheat, while still others show cornucopias of fruits and vegetables. With embroidery and other trims, you can embellish soft, sturdy felt "greenery" appropriate fort any of these winter events or occasions. Note: Both beginners and those with needlework experience are welcome.
This workshop takes place on the second floor of Edwards Place, which is only accessible by stairs.
Holiday Open House
December 7, 1-4PM
This event is a free open house, giving guests a chance to see Edwards Place in holiday finery, while listening (and singing!) carols around a piano once heard by Abraham Lincoln and meeting a Civil War era Santa Claus. Refreshments are provided.
Cozy Winter Holiday Tea
December 14, 1PM
$45/$40 for SAA members
Learn about popular tea customs, while participating in a special program based on the storybooks by Jan Brett, which feature beautiful illustrations of winter scenes. This event includes tea, tea foods, gifts, and original programming. Tea is from Whimsy Tea Company and food from Copper Pot Cooking Studio.
Annual Events:
Historical Fashion Show
This biennial event focuses on specific topics in fashion history, giving a wide range of examples through its timeline. Experience this fashion show like the first fashion shows of Paris, before Fashion Week took over with the exciting lights and sounds we have today. These were intimate affairs where one could get close and personal with the clothing to see the construction and detail.
Victorian Game Night
This event teaches the card and dice games of the past to game lovers of the present. Guests will discover that these games hold up as delightful entertainment for a night with friends or family. Enjoy "gambling" at the tables, and the top performers will receive prizes! Games included: Vingt-et-un, Whist, Triga, Hazard, Poker, and SNAP. This event includes hors d'oeuvres and beer and wine.
This event is for ages 21+ only.
Spring Tea
Learn about popular tea customs, while participating in a special program. Themes in the past have included Jane Austen, "Little Women", and Storybook Garden. This event includes tea, tea foods, gifts, and original programming.
History Comes Alive
Ice Cream Socials with Abe and Mary
Wednesdays in June and July
Every Wednesday in the summer, we host Abraham and Mary Lincoln at Edwards Place for an outdoor ice cream social. Meet our 16th president and first lady while enjoying a free cup of ice cream provided by Visit Springfield on the porch of this historic house museum. Plus, the Springfield Municipal Band will keep guests entertained with their repertoire of music.