Edwards Place

Name: Edwards Place
Address: 700 N 4th Street, Springfield, IL, 62702, US
Telephone: +12175232631
Price range: $

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This stunning antebellum mansion tells the story of social and cultural life in Abraham Lincoln’s Springfield, Illinois.

Owned and operated by the Springfield Art Association. Edwards Place must-see site for anyone who loves old houses, antiques, archaeology, or Abraham Lincoln! Edwards Place was the home of attorney Benjamin Edwards, youngest son of Governor Ninian Edwards and brother-in-law of Mary Lincoln’s sister Elizabeth. In the years before the Civil War prominent citizens such as Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas were entertained at lavish dinner parties and legislative receptions. Your guided tour of Edwards Place will take you back in time to experience social and family life in 19th century Springfield. This 4500 square foot mansion features nine rooms restored to their mid-19th century appearance, complete with original and local furnishings. You’ll see historic treasures including a rare piano which belonged to a colorful early Congressman, important portraits of 19th century Springfield residents, and artifacts from Abraham Lincoln’s in-laws, including the “courting couch” on which Lincoln and Mary Todd sat during the early days of their romance.

10/15/2026

Trust us on this - you haven't truly lived until you've eaten a fat rascal. But, uh, fair warning...they're FULL of butter.

We still have space in our Commander in Chef: Breakfast for Dinner workshop. Learn about two presidents (Teddy Roosevelt & Zachary Taylor) and what their favorite breakfast foods were (fat rascals and calas tous chauds), all while getting to try your hand at making them! The workshop ends with a meal enjoyed with your fellow classmates.

Get your tickets here: www.edwardsplace.org/upcoming-events

10/14/2026

In History Snippets, Season 6 Episode 2, our curator Sarah discusses the cutest little history pockets throughout Edwards Place.

10/13/2026

Our murder mystery may be sold out, but we still have lots of fun events and educational opportunities coming your way!

*Commander in Chef Breakfast for Dinner cooking SAAmpler - October 23
*America 250 Lecture - Sanitary Fairs of the 19th century with Laura Reyman - November 5 FREE
*Bourbon Tasting - November 13
*Commander in Chef Cozy Cooking SAAmpler - November 19 (1 ticket left!)
*Cross-stitch for Beginners 2-day SAAmpler - November 23 & 30
*America 250 Lecture - Edwards Place holiday traditions with Sarah Adams - December 3 FREE
*Holiday Open House - December 5 FREE
*Edwards Place decorated for holidays - December 5-December 23
*Santa Claus Tea - December 12 (2/3 sold out!)
*Last open day for 2026 - December 23

Find out more and buy tickets at www.edwardsplace.org/upcoming-events

10/10/2026

Meet the cast of "The Unusual Suspects" Murder Mystery Dinner Theater! Rick Stewart is playing the classic Sherlock Holmes. This is Rick’s second time performing in a murder mystery for the Edwards Place, but his first time performing in the Edwards Place. Rick was in the October 2020 murder mystery, which was held virtually due to COVID. Holmes himself is a great mystery! He is hard to figure out, and he prides himself on that fact. Rick has been a fan of Sherlock Holmes since he was a kid. The opportunity to portray the great detective with all his quirks was something he knew he could not pass up. In addition to running his own law practice, Rick collects Legos (and yes, he has the Sherlock Holmes Lego set); performs in ballets with the Cooper Coin Ballet Company; and works at the Legacy Theatre for fun.

10/08/2026

It's October, and we have a great lecture that might get you into spooky season (though we don't find it spooky!). Carla Sofka is presenting tonight (October 8) on American mourning practices. This talk is at 6 PM and is free and open to the public! We will serve light refreshments. Join us for this highly anticipated lecture!

10/07/2026

Meet the cast of "The Unusual Suspects" Murder Mystery Dinner Theater! Dave Kimsey is playing Sergeant Palumbo. This is Dave's 3rd murder mystery at Edwards Place. He likes that his character is just a little off beat and gets to be in his own world most of the the time, with a mind that wanders and says whatever thought crosses his mind - much like Dave in reality!

The EP murder mysteries are always a blast for Dave, especially the opportunity to improvise as a familiar character while interacting with whatever the audience brings to the evening.

We only have TWO TICKETS left for this show - for Saturday, October 17, so get them now! (Our tickets are sold at www.edwardsplace.org/upcoming-events - do not trust any outside sellers because we do not sell tickets through any other means.)

10/05/2026

Meet the cast of "The Unusual Suspects" Murder Mystery Dinner Theater! Kala McGuire is playing our detective, Irene Adler. This is her third Edwards Place show (2nd murder mystery). She loves the chance to use a magnifying glass on things she's seen a million times. See if you can figure out the mystery before she does!

Also - today is her birthday!! Happy birthday, Kala!

10/03/2026

Meet the cast of "The Unusual Suspects" Murder Mystery Dinner Theater! Katie Barrett is playing Nancy Drew. She likes the community and personalities of her cast members as well as the fact that so much of the show is improvised. It makes for a fun, funny, and creative experience. Katie has also experienced the visual arts side of the Springfield Art Association (which runs Edwards Place). She's made two stained glass lampshades in class here!

10/01/2026

Meet the cast of "The Unusual Suspects" Murder Mystery Dinner Theater!

Amber Johnson is our Director and also plays Delphine Clark.

Here's what Amber has to say about her experience: "This is most definitely not my first Edwards Place murder mystery, and it won't be my last. To be honest, I have forgotten how many shows I have done with Edwards Place altogether between the murder mysteries and plays.

"I truly adore my character this year! She is such an icon, and I truly hope I can do her justice! She is one of the most fashionable detectives around!

"Every Edwards Place show is amazing! They have been some of my favorite shows! But the best part of the shows is the people I get to work with, the staff of Edwards Place and SAA, the guests who come to see the show, and acting in extraordinary historic home! I'm honored I get to come back each year!"

09/29/2026

We are so excited to have Carla Sofka speak about mourning customs in America as part of our America 250 lecture series!

Join us on October 8 for this free lecture. Refreshments are included!

Address

700 N 4th Street
Springfield, IL
62702

Telephone

+12175232631

Website

http://www.edwardsplace.org/

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