Dana-Thomas House Foundation donates $50k for historic Springfield site restoration

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — Nearly $50,000 is headed to the Illinois Conservation Foundation for the restoration of a national historic landmark in Springfield.
On Wednesday, it was announced that the Dana-Thomas House Foundation donated $48,874 to the Illinois Conservation Foundation to facilitate the purchase and installation of historically appropriate rugs at the Dana-Thomas House.
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'The Dana-Thomas House is not only an architectural masterpiece but also a vital piece of our state's cultural heritage,' said Natalie Phelps Finnie, director of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. 'Preserving historic sites like this ensures future generations can learn from and experience Illinois' rich history.'
The Dana-Thomas House is one of the most complete early examples of Frank Lloyd Wright's Prairie-style architecture. Wright designed the house in 1902 for socialite and philanthropist Susan Lawrence Dana.
Additionally, the home contains over 100 pieces of original Wright-designed furniture and more than 250 examples of art glass.
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The Illinois Conservation Foundation will administer the donation to ensure it directly supports the carpet restoration project at the Dana-Thomas House. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources operates this house, as well as 55 other state historic states across the state.
'We are proud to work alongside the Dana-Thomas House Foundation on this effort,' said Jenny Vaughn, executive director of the Illinois Conservation Foundation. 'Public-private partnerships like this play a critical role in ensuring that Illinois' historic sites and state parks are protected and maintained for the future.'
This historic site is open to the public for tours year-round. To learn more about the Illinois Conservation Foundation, or to support preservation efforts, visit ilconservation.org.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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