David Davis Mansion Foundation
The David Davis Mansion Foundation is a not-for-profit organization, incorporated in June of 1986. Its mission is to help the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency engage, enlighten and entertain visitors with the stories of the site, of the David Davis household, and of their special relationship with Abraham Lincoln and others.
The Foundation's membership is comprised of mansion volunteers and citizens in communities throughout the nation who support the mansion through private fundraising efforts. Although the State of Illinois provides funding for day-to-day operations at the site, the Foundation plays an important role in:
- meeting the site's needs for computers and other electronic equipment
- publicizing the site
- funding educational, volunteer and special events programs
- underwriting the cost of acquiring additional period furnishings and landscaping materials to further the site's restoration.
The Foundation's contributions have helped improve working conditions for staff and have enhanced the public's enjoyment of mansion programs and exhibits.
| Foundation Information | |
|---|---|
| Corporate Status | Private, Not-for-Profit; 501 (c) (3) |
| Governance | Bylaws and Articles of Incorporation (1986) |
| Total Membership | 200 paying memberships; 50 honorary memberships |
| Member Benefits | Museum Shop discounts, invitations to members-only events, discounts on special events; Foundation newsletter |
| Officers of the Board | |
| President | Beth Whisman Vogel |
| Vice President | Kathe Conley |
| Recording Secretary | Linda Beard |
| Corresponding Secretary | Donna Dickson |
| Treasurer | Arti Kamatar |
| Immediate Past President | Ed Carroll |
| Executive Director | Sheri Brownfield |
| Board Tenure | Three-year term; limit two terms in succession |
| Board Meetings | Monthly; Annual Meeting 3rd Wednesday in September |
| Standing Committees | Acquisitions, Financial, Fund Raising, Nominating, Planning, Educational Programming, Public Relations, Special Events, History |
Major Fund Raising Program Clover Lawn Museum Shop, paid manager and volunteer staff
Major Projects
- Restoration of Sarah Davis's 1870s Garden
- Microfilming of Davis Family Papers
- Looking for Lincoln Tourism Program
- Audio Tours
Fund Raising Projects
- Glorious Garden Festival Garden Walk
- Antique Car Exhibit
- Special Evening Tours/Receptions
Volunteers
- Volunteer recognition
- Bus trips
- Special presentations
Annual Programs of Special Events:
- Thanksgiving
- Christmas
- Garden Walk
- Antique Car Show
Publications:
- Clover Lawn: the David Davis Mansion State Historic Site. Pub. David Davis Mansion Foundation.
- Home for the Holidays: A Victorian Christmas Cookbook. Pub. David Davis Mansion.
- Sarah's Garden. Steve McDaniel, Horticultural Historian. Pub. David Davis Mansion.
- Managing Clover Lawn: From Ingredients to Enjoyment: A Guide to the Kitchen of Sarah Davis and the Life That Filled it. Sarah Vales. Pub. David Davis Mansion.
David Davis Mansion Foundation Board of Directors
An eighteen-member, all-volunteer board, comprised of nine members from the mansion's corps of volunteers and nine members from the local community, is responsible for directing the work of the Foundation.
| Dan Barringer, community | Dr. Scott Rager, community |
| Linda Beard, volunteer corps | Megan Schmidt, community |
| Dr. Robert Bradley, community | Paul VanNess, community |
| Peggy Brown, community | Beth Whisman Vogel, community |
| Edward Carroll, community | |
| Kathe Conley, volunteer corps | |
| Donna Dickson, community | Dr. Marcia Young, Site Superintendent, ex officio |
| Kay Henrichs, volunteer corps | Sheri Brownfield, Excecutive Director, ex officio |
| Arti Kamatar, community | Beth Kater, ex officio |
| Tom McCulley, community | Robert Lenz, ex officio |
| Ken Menestrina, community | Bekah Litchfied, Gift Shop, ex officio |
| Randy Middleton, community | Pat Schley, Research Historian, ex officio |
Permanent Staff
The Foundation has one part-time staff member, who is paid by and reports directly to the Foundation Board:
Sheri Brownfield, Executive Director