About this Event
Come join us for a theater piece at the historic Dana-Thomas House. Step back in time as we bring to life Susan Lawrence Dana through a theater piece adapted and directed by Kevin Purcell, performed by Leigh Steiner.
"What I am touched by is the remnants of a life.....the list of the dinner party dresses and invitation lists and food and flowers at the event, the lists of jewels and clothing and art sold when the house was sold. Is this how her life is remembered or measured? The list of her losses, children, husbands, parents, and ultimately her wealth. Is this how her life is remembered or measured? And what would this say about any of us, if our jewels and parties and newsworthy losses were the remnants of our lives for people to see.
So we need to look beyond this to do our best to honor her and the life she lived. a woman who had the fortitude and imagination to create her own path in a time when few women were given this opportunity; a woman with the resilience to move ahead despite significant losses in her life; a women with the curiosity to imagine a world beyond this one and sought to understand that possibility; and a woman with a sense of duty to her community who used her influence and resources to help others."
- Kevin Purcell & Leigh Steiner
Current Policies
Parking
A free parking lot is located on the northeast corner of Fourth Street and Lawrence Avenue, immediately east of the house. The parking lot on Cook Street, behind the house and just west of the railroad tracks, is also available. Please note the lane from Lawrence Avenue to the parking lot is reserved for buses only; other vehicles should not park in this area. The alley between the carriage house and the railroad tracks is not a parking area; vehicles parked there may be ticketed and towed by law enforcement.
Photography Policy
Photography, video and other recording are limited to the exterior of the house only; photography, video and other recording are NOT permitted inside the house. A gallery of photos of the site, including interior images, is available at
https://dnrhistoric.illinois.gov/research/photogallery.html
Additional Information
This event will take place in an area of the house that may not be accessible by wheelchairs or other mobility assist devices. If you will be using a wheelchair or other mobility assist device that does not permit use of stairs, we would appreciate you contacting us at 217-782-6776 or [email protected].
Pets are not allowed inside the Dana-Thomas House. Service animals are welcome. Please note we do not have a pet boarding facility on-site and we do not allow pets to be left outside unattended.
Please be sure to reserve a ticket for all members of your party, including adults, children and infants.
More information about the site, including educational resources for teachers, are available at http://historicspringfield.dnr.illinois.gov
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Dana-Thomas House State Historic Site, 301 East Lawrence Avenue, Springfield, United States
USD 0.00
