Budget cuts threaten to shut down historic home museum

September 10, 2008
By Drew Thomason
Staff Writer

http://www.springfield.il.gov

Starting October 1, a staple of Springfield’s history will be closing its doors to the public.The Dana-Thomas House, which has been owned by Illinois since 1981, is part of a state wide shutdown of 13 historical sights by Gov. Rod Blagojevich due to budget cuts.

The site currently employees five people, all of whom will be laid off with the exception of the site director. According to the Executive Director of the Dana-Thomas House Foundation, Regina Albanese, two of those employees are eligible for retirement and one is currently on medical leave.

“Basically the house is being closed to fire one employee,” Albanese said.

Several Lincoln sites facing budget cuts and reduced hours will benefit from a $300,000 grant from the Illinois Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission. Albanese said the Dana- Thomas House Foundation is looking into soliciting private funds, but if past examples hold true, it could be dead end.

“In 1992, the site was going to be closed by Governor Edgar... and we asked about using private funds, but we were told the state can not accept private funds to offset cost,” Albanese said. “It’s something we are still looking into.”

She added that the Dana- Thomas House was going to temporarily shut down for part of the fall for a construction project. Despite the closing to the public at the end of September, Albanese is hopeful the construction project will move forward.

The Dana-Thomas House was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1902. In 1981, it was purchased by the State of Illinois and later opened as a historic house museum. Address: 301 E. Lawrence Ave Springfield, IL 62703

With the Illinois Senate not scheduled to return to Springfield until the November veto session, Blagojevich’s cuts have little chance of being overturned by the legislators. Regardless, Albanese is optimistic about the sites near future. She said the way Illinois’ government works, there is a chance the Dana Thomas House will remain available to tourists.

“I’m hopeful this decision (to close the Dana Thomas House) will change.”