Exhibits

Permanent Exhibits

Prologue to Presidency: Abraham Lincoln on the Illinois Eighth Judicial Circuit

 

Lincoln's legal and political career began on the Eighth Judicial Circuit. This is where his network began and the men who worked alongside him, including most importantly Judge David Davis, recognized his potential for greatness and helped launch him to the Presidency. This exhibit, created and curated by Dr. Marcia Young, Susan Hartzold, Guy Fraker, Mark Johnson and Stewart Winger, tells that story.

Housed in the Lincoln-era barn on the grounds of the David Davis Mansion, this exhibit was sponsored by the former Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission of McLean County as part of the celebration of the Lincoln Bicentennial. The exhibit development was also supported by the Illinois Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission, the Bloomington-Normal Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Looking for Lincoln Heritage Coalition, and the Heritage Association of McLean County.

 

Temporary Exhibits

Supreme Satire: Political Cartoons Featuring Judge David Davis

 

Co-curated by Adam Weissman, former graduate student of history at Illinois State University and Adrienne Huffman, Program Coordinator of the David Davis Mansion, Supreme Satire looks at ten political cartoons which depict David Davis through the eyes of artist Thomas Nast, and illustrate the criticism Davis received for his involvement in Gilded Age politics. 

 

This exhibit is currently on view in the Drying Room Gallery, which you can visit at the end of your tour. 

 

Virtual Exhibits

 

The David Davis Mansion does not currently have a Virtual Exhibition on view. Please check back later.