Have you ever wondered, "What's up that staircase?" or "What do they keep behind those STAFF ONLY doors?" Have you always wanted to explore the attic or the basement of the David Davis Mansion? Would you really like to know how something specific works inside the mansion? Do you wish you could learn more about the house than is explained during a standard tour? If so, this special behind the scenes tour is for you.
Here are just SOME of the things yuou will learn:
* How was the Davis Mansion lit?
* What was the source?
* Where did it come from?
* Did the water come from a well?
* Did the city have water available in 1872?
* What about lighting the gasoliers?
* How was that performed?
* How was the boiler fired?
* What's in the attic?
These questions and more will be answered during the Mechanical Tour. This is NOT AN ONLINE EVENT.
Tickets for this special experience are $20 each, in advance, and may be purchased at the David Davis Mansion Visitors Center with exact change (cash or check) during regular business hours, Wednesday-Saturday, 9am to 3:30pm. Don'[t miss this unique opportunity to see the mansion like never before!
This tour is limited to 10 people. Social distancing and masks are required.
If the 10:30-12:30 tour sells out, we MAY open up additional tour times throughout the day.
Questions? Call 309-828-1084 during business hours.
| Event Date | 05-22-2021 10:30 am |
| Event End Date | 05-22-2021 12:30 pm |
The Champagne British Car Festival is just around the corner, on June 5th, here in Bloomington, IL on the grounds of the David Davis Mansion at 1000 Monroe Drive. This is the 30th anniversary of the Festival and you can expect another great show with incredible vehicles under the trees of this historic Victorian home. Join us from 10am to 3pm and enjoy a leisurely stroll with wondrerful eye candy! The event is co-hosted by the David Davis Mansion Foundation. For more info on the event, visit the CBCF facebook page.
| Event Date | 06-05-2021 10:00 am |
| Event End Date | 06-05-2021 3:00 pm |
A paid ticket for the GARDEN WALK gives gardeners and garden lovers two days to visit 11 beautiful, inspired private gardens in the community from 1-7 pm on Friday, July 16th and 9 am-3pm on Saturday, July 17th.
Several FREE EVENTS are included in the 2021 Glorious Garden Festival and are available from 1-5pm on Friday, July 16th and 9am-noon on Saturday, July 17th.
Shop the GARDEN FAIR on the Mansion lawn featuring local artists, craftspeople and businesses selling garden-inspired art, plants, and treasures. Community partners will offer visitors garden-themed activities and art projects. Refreshments are available throughout the day.
Enjoy FREE TOURS of Sarah Davis’ historic garden given by Master Gardeners and a walk through the David Davis Mansion with experienced docents. Shop the Clover Lawn Gift Shop at the mansion for the best gifts, garden art and packets of seeds for many of the heirloom plants at Sarah’s Garden.
Bring the CHILDREN to experience the FREE Bloomington Public Library Story Walk in Sarah’s Garden featuring “Plant the Tiny Seed” by Christie Matheson. The Garden Walk is free for children age 12 and under, who will enjoy a Scavenger Hunt to help them explore.
TICKET INFORMATION:
Garden Walk ticket sales open June 15th at daviddavismansion.org, the David Davis Mansion Visitor’s Center (Wednesday-Saturday, 9am-3:30pm), and at local garden centers: AB Hatchery & Garden Center, Casey’s Garden Shop & Florist, Growing Grounds Lawn & Garden Center and Wendell Niepagen Greenhouses & Garden Center.
Advanced tickets are $18 for adults, $10 for children 13-17 and FREE for children 0-12, with sales ending at noon on Thursday, July 15th. Tickets can also be purchased for $20 on the Mansion lawn starting at 1pm on the first day of the event.
David Davis Mansion members receive a 20% discount for up to 2 tickets purchased at the David Davis Mansion Visitor's Center.
The Glorious Garden Festival is a fundraiser for the David Davis Mansion Foundation, which supports the mansion’s educational programing and preservation initiatives. We appreciate your contribution!
| Event Date | 07-16-2021 1:00 pm |
| Event End Date | 07-17-2021 3:00 pm |
| Ticket Sales Start Date | 06-15-2021 8:00 am |
| Cut off date | 07-15-2021 5:00 am |