David Davis Mansion State Historic Site Reviews

Our plans had changed and we were left with a beautiful fall day and had not been to the City in a year. Friendly tour guide Beautiful home. Donation suggested.

The Davis house represents life over 150 years ago. Davis was an associate of Lincoln and eventually sat on the US Supreme Court. The house is shown by docent lead tours. Most of the rooms have period piece furniture but generally not original furniture. The tours mix info on home technology, life in the 1800s, politics and society. Assume about 1 to 1 1/2 hours for the tour. I picked up a nice book for five dollars on the US Constitution in the small gift shop. Seemed appropriate.

This is the home of Judge David Davis who was a good friend of Abraham Lincolns. One of the Lincoln/Douglas debates was held on these grounds. It is like stepping back in time and learning about Illinois history. Check out the special events that go on all year long. A very special time to go is Christmas when they decorate for the season. You will enjoy seeing it from the servant quarters up to the actual living areas of the Davis family.

I did not know a whole lot about David Davis except that he was a colleague of Abraham Lincoln. The mansion itself is great to explore and the tour helps put the man in the greater context of that time. You should definitely visit if you are in the area.

I have been to the Mansion several times over my lifetime. The interior is lovely and demonstrates how the landed gentry lived during the 1800s. Definitely worth a visit!

My friend and I are gardening fanatics and learned of the historically restored Sarah’s Garden at David Davis Mansion from a Master Gardener who is a volunteer there. We started our tour at the visitor center by watching a video and enjoyed getting to know others waiting for the video to start. We discussed gardening with a guy from Kansas City. After the video, our group of about 9 walked the short distance to the mansion and was given a personal tour by the docent, an older man who was quite knowledgeable and friendly.
My friend and I were impressed by the historically accurate restoration to the late 1800s period and found the house tour very interesting. The highlight of our tour was the restored garden. We were fortunate to have finished the mansion tour just as the group of volunteer gardeners was leaving from their morning’s work in the garden. The Master Gardener who we had met at a gardening event in the spring was there and gave us a personal tour. There are several plants from the original garden(marked by medallions) and the rest have been meticulously researched and sourced from all over the country to replicate the garden in Sarah Davis’s day. Roses were in bloom, as well as many other old fashioned plants. If you take the Mansion Tour, be sure to ask the docent for a tour of the garden. Both parts are a pleasant and enjoyable way to spend a sunny, spring morning. I’d advise wearing comfortable shoes as we were on our feet almost two hours. There are two sets of steep stairs as well as smaller steps to climb.

This mansion is just as David and Sarah left it to their son Perrin Davis in 1886. The mansion staff provide true historical interpretations including the history of Lincoln and Davis relationship among others, and the holiday decorations/presentations are the best anywhere!

Great tours for someone out of country or who like history in the reality of real time. Some of the actors are really good

In the last month we have been to the mansion twice. One was in honor of Abraham Lincoln, the other was over St. Patrick's Day Weekend.

Both times gave interesting views of the mansion and incredible history as to what the times would have been like. The tours are very well done.

The mansion itself is architecturally a work to see, the interior is all furnished to the time period it was built and done remarkably well. The volunteers staffing really give a good glimpse into life at the mansion.

The grounds are really pretty and we look forward to seeing it in all its' spring splendor.

Although there is no fee to tour, a donation is suggested and well worth it.

One of Bloomington's historic mansions the home was built around 1872 and has been nicely restored. At a cost of $75,000--a princely sum for the time and more than double the original budget--it wasn't a huge house compared to other stately homes, but included modern features such as lead-lined bathtubs and flushing loos. Replete with Christmas decorations when we visited, it was quite festive. The Davis family were prominent members of Bloomington society. Davis was both a Supreme court justice and Illinois senator. As the family kept the home for several generations, it contains many original furnishings and memorabilia. Recommend a visit if you're in the area.

We toured this mansion during Christmastime and it is wonderful! They have carols playing, cookies baking in the kitchen, live musicians playing in each room, etc. It is a warm place that has alot of history and very interesting narrators in the tour. Well worth the small amount asked for during Christmas!

Two of us showed up at the mansion office just about an hour before closing on a summer Saturday, and we were warmly greeted by two gentlemen, one who directed us to view the introductory video as another family followed in behind us from the parking lot. Though the tour would take us right up to closing time, our group of 6 was gently led to the house, where we were not rushed through. Our guide was extremely knowledgeable on both facts of the home / residents and the period, but also engaging to both children and adults. At the end of the tour, he even volunteered to quickly show us the garden before he had to leave. Amazing that this is a free site - of course donations are welcomed, but we felt no pressure to do so. An incredibly beautiful period home, lovingly restored and maintained, as are the gardens.

I was here Feb 5th, 2014. It was winter and there's a lot of snow. So I'm the only one visiting this mansion. The tour start with video presentation about the mansion and why it was built. It talks about the David Davis family history and also the link to Abraham Lincoln. After the video, I'm taken to the mansion by a tour guide, a retiree teacher that volunteer there. He is friendly and really try to explain everything while we're in the mansion.

He has taken a great pleasure to stress the importance of the link between David Davis and Abraham Lincoln family. When Abraham Lincoln died, David Davis is the one who take care of his estate and Abe family matter. When David Davis passed away, Abe's son is the only person who are in the private funeral in the mansion that is not a family member.

Anyway, about the mansion, it is not 100 rooms mansion. Its just 8 rooms mansion. So its not a huge mansion. The interesting stuff about this mansion is about the technology used during that time.

Let me list this down:-
There's central heating system.
Room to Room voice calling.
Room to room servant bell.
Gas lamp attachment to the affixed gas lamp. (It just means add another lamp to it).
A well in the basement (normally you don't get to see this).
Bidet for woman
etc

Overall, nice tour if you're around town. I actually drove almost 2 hours to get here from Watseka and I still think its worth it. Donation of $4 is welcomed.

Went to the mansion on a day they had an event with antique cars! My husband and teen son were in heaven! After walking through the cars and dreaming, we were able to go in the mansion. We were very impressed at the "modern day" amenities the Davis' had in their home. The rooms are grand and the docents are knowledgable. The self guided tour is at your own pace, and since we were there towards the end of the day, it was not crowded in the mansion at all. We were really able to take our time. We were told the mansion is decorated for the holidays and we plan to go back.

This was a great view of how the well to do lived in the 1800's. Seeing different bell pulls in the bedroom depending on the needs of the family member. Ornate wood carvings and social rooms. Well worth the tirp.

I think the best time to tour the Mansion is close to Holiday time. It is decorated beautifully. Depending upon your tour guide, the information we were given was well research, interesting and well presented.
I appreciated the emphasis place upon Mrs. Davis, or corsets, high society and the size accomadations for Mr. Davis. Recommend to anyone enjoying history as well as old mansions.

The docents are well trained and give a delightful tour of a beautiful historic home. I know, cause I used to be one of them before moving out of the area. Enjoy it!!

I live just one block away from this historic gem. It is in very good shape for the age that it is. David Davis was Abraham Lincoln's close buddy and thus he became America's Chief Supreme Court Justice. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable. There are limited hours because of funding and dependence on volunteers. If you happen to be in Bloomington and have some time on your hands drop on in if it is open.

Beautifully restored mansion. Be sure to watch the short video to get more history. The painted ceilings are incredible. We were there when there was an antique/classic car show going on which made the visit even more fun.

I am a little bit of a history buff and my husband and I enjoy visiting historic places. We've been wanting to visit this house since we heard about it on the Illinois Adventure show. I've listened to several books about Lincoln and they made David Davis sound like an interesting person, especially the part he played in the nomination of Lincoln for president. We were returning from a trip to South Carolina and had plenty of time to stop.

The house was beautiful and seemed very comfortable for a mansion that size. I was very impressed with the decor of the house. It wasn't overly opulent but made you feel as is you would be comfortable in any of the rooms. I was also impressed with the size of the rooms for the servants.

I'm so happy we stopped and visited the house and watched the movie at the visitor center. It was well worth the time.

Interested in old buildings of yesteryear? This is a great place to come. Be aware however that no photographs are taken inside. A good part of history and the guide was very knowledgeable. A nice hour and 1/2 spent looking at the past. Great displays.

Truly a sight to behold...You are escorted room to room with a disertation about the Mansion. Delightful gift shop at the end of tours. Christmas time is a great time to visit...

I'm into history so this was great for me. The house was very interesting.We had a student historian who did a really good job of giving us a tour. He knew some really good stories. Very nice area that it sits in. It was like no one really comes here. Great for me because I got my own private tour. People are really missing out on something great sitting in Bloomington,Il

I visited the David Davis Mansion during the Christmas holidays a few years ago. The entire home is decked out in period holiday decorations and is absolutely gorgeous! It is really something special and I highly recommend it. However, I don't think kids under 12 would be much interested in it, so best to leave the little ones at home.

No need to plan in advance - just drop by! The house is beautifully restored and so well kept! Expect to climb lots of stairs - but this experience gives you the "real!" feel of the place. The facts about Lincoln papers being kept in the attic and discovered by accident are priceless. School age children will have a blast with this tour!
The house is being decorated for the Holidays - during Xmas visits are especially impressive!

As a friend of David Davis, Abraham Lincoln visited with him here. The house has been beautifully and meticulously restored to help bring you back to another time. They host special events there for some of the holidays. Interested in history, architecture, art, the community? Then this is a must-see!

The David Davis is a great family day out. You start a tour with an interesting little history video in one of the rustic it buildings abd then proceed with the very in character staff into the house itself. The house is lovely and you see something new every time you visit. The mansion also participates in the Christmas at the mansions tours every December and is a real sight to behold.

An amazing historic Mansion museum. If you area history buff and enjoy going through well-preserved vintage homes, this is not to be missed. Excellent and well-informed docents.

My son & I visited a nearby college and we decided to stop by, great decision. The informational video was a nice start, but we ended up with our own private tour by a docent that knew his stuff. His enthusiasm and never ending knowledge really left us amazed that we had not read about this man who was so influential in the life of our 16th president. They have done an amazing job of restoring this home. Take the time and learn about him and his impact on Abraham Lincoln and our history.

The home is nicely maintained and I love knowing that I was walking the same hallways as Abraham Lincoln did when visiting the Davis'. This was actually my third visit to the home in two years and always learn something new on each visit.

This was the home of a justice appointed by A. Lincoln. It was built around 1870 and the architecture is beautiful.. They also have some smaller buildings and a garden. In the summer you should be able to visit inside; in the winter season it might not be open for tours; but if it is you can walk around the property. Bring your camera as this is a magnificent mansion!

Beautiful home and gardens and tours are very informative. Beautifuly decorated at Christmas time!

Do you like Lincoln history? Find out about David Davis -- the man behind Lincoln's run for president. It was a very informative tour through his home. The guide knew all kinds of fun tidbits. David Davis was also a Supreme Court Justice.

Loved the house i just wish we could have gotten a full tour. Didnt get to see upstairs or the basement which was disappointing. It would have been nice if it wasnt mandatory to watch the educational video before as well. The gorgeous house almost makes up for the video, though.

So much of what you see is original and everything else is at least period. It's interesting to view the priorities of a succesful family of the 1870's. The docents know so much about the place. It's well worth a tour. There's a weird smell in the separate visitor center. I would like that remedied.

Bloomington-Normal is a fine community with good people, good schools and a few good restaurants. However, there aren't many things to distinguish it from many equally nice towns. The David Davis Mansion could be the single exception. While it may seem like other Victorian era houses throughout the Midwest that display history in the context of a prominent local citizen, there is an important difference here. Without Judge Davis, there would not have been a President Lincoln. This is where important strategies were made that allowed an Illinois contender to win the convention conveniently located in Chicago.

Come here and enjoy the artifacts, but realize that this house is a great stepping stone in this country's history

David Davis helped to install Abraham Lincoln in the White House, and the mansion, though not original to Lincoln's time, is one of the biggest and best in the area. Pay special attention to the area in the outbuilding where you assemble for the tour. It's the only place where Abe Lincoln would have been, as it's the converted stables that are original to the house.

This is a fabulous mansion with great historical moments preserved. Wonderful history of the Davis family and their involvement in Illinois politics.

The docents are wonderful and i love the stories they tell about the mansion. Our department has an annual scholarship fundraising event there and they are wonderful to work with.

With plans to be in the area, we determined from TripAdvisor that the most favored "Thing To Do" in Bloomington is a tour of the David Davis Mansion. We don't feel a need to return to repeat our visit, but we are glad we've learned this part of local history.

Mr. Davis is the answer to the trivia question - Who is the only U. S. Supreme Court Justice who later served as a U. S. Senator? Prior to his appointment as a Justice, Mr Davis was the campaign manager for Abraham Lincoln's successful Presidential campaign. A tour of the mansion Davis built will educate you as to his historical story and life in the Midwest in the Civil War era and following years.

The house was gifted to the State of Illinois in 1960, and was the subject of a major "reverse" renovation, back to the time when the home was constructed. Tours are subject to a recommended contribution. Clearly, however, cosmetic work will be required in the near future.

Your tour begins in the Visitor Center, a small home on the left as you drive into the mansion's grounds. The video seen there sets the stage for your volunteer - lead tour.

We toured in December and enjoyed the home's Christmas decorations. However we were not able to appreciate the gardens typically included if our visit were in another season.

Very interesting historic mansion. The Davis family were way ahead of their time. Go and pay a visit. You will see for yourself!

We thoroughly enjoyed our tour of this house and the stories provided by the tour guide. Very interesting.

Take a tour of the mansion, grounds, and Sarah's garden. It's a beautiful place to experience Victorian life. I was surprised to learn how Mr. Davis helped Mr. Lincoln. The tour guides are informative. The garden is restored with heirloom plants, including nearly two dozen original plants! They have a special Christmas tour, some include nearby mansions. First floor accessible. Go!

My wife is a history nut. She loved the house and the tour guide who knew so much of the history of the house and family.

We loved going here it was great to educate the kids. And they were very interested in it too amazingly.

We had a great tour of this amazing building. So interesting how the ceilings were painted, how the kitchen was equipped, and stories behind so many of the features. The gardens when in season are marvelous, all brought back to flowers of the day, and now maintained by volunteers.

It is well worth seeing and hearing a lot about David Davis. This guy not only was Lincoln law partner, but appointed to the Supreme court.

What a great way to learn about the times of David Davis, his wife, and other notable area citizens. Everyone associated with the Mansion is wonderful, especially the Tea Ladies. I have been there several times now and learn something new each time. They also host many events which keeps the grounds active and vibrant so it doesn't get forgotten.

We have visited several mansion across the US and even though the Davis Mansion could not compare to the Mansion in Newport -
Davis is an excellent example of victorian living. The cost is only $4 for adults and the tour last about a hour. Worth the visit.

staff was very friendly. tour guides were well informed

A beautiful historical mansion in Bloomington/Normal with lots of special events. I would recommend a visit during the Christmas season when you can see just how the Victorian's decorated for Christmas. A magical time for the whole family. I'd also recommend the Garden walk that happens every June.

David Davids Mansion is beautifully restored. Remarkable collection of mid-nineteenth century decorative arts. Story of Judge David Davids, whose influence on Abraham Lincoln's legal and political career was crucial to President Lincoln success.
The tour guide was wonderful. Tours are available Wed. through Sat. from 9 a.m to 5 p.m. Suggested donation: Adults $4, children &2
Bathroom is only in visitor center.

This is a beautiful house, but more than that David Davis was a law partner of Abraham Lincoln. The history in this area is very interesting .

I went to visit David Davis Mansion to see the garden. It is called Sarah's Garden after David's wife. It was not a matter of the size of the garden but the history that I found incredible. I walked up wanting to just wonder through the garden, not interested in the history of it and left almost two hours later totally captivated by it's history!
I was fortunate to have Master Gardener, Mary Jane Bohall personally talk to me about the garden. This group has done a wonderful job of restoring and maintaining the garden.

David Davis was responsible for Lincoln winning the presidency. He was a lawyer and succeeded to the Supreme Court. His wife held down the fort for much of the time while he was in Washington and was responsible for the finish out of the house and redecorating from time to time. It's an interesting tour, and our guide was very informative without being verbose. David Davis was who Robert Lincoln called after his father was assassinated to clean out Lincoln's office thus giving him 19,000 Lincoln documents to care for and to share with the public as he saw fit. It truly was a beautiful home and modern for its time.

Awesome history. Part of the Lincoln Heritage Trail and Barn Quilt Trail. Two stops in one. The home is beautiful inside. I am so glad that we checked it out.

I am awe-inspired everytime I drive by this majestic looking building. We like it for the looks, the history, and the fact that Honest Abe was a friend of Judge Davis.

My family loves to "look for Lincoln" and Judge Davis was a good friend of Lincoln when they were legal circuit riders around central Illinois. The home was for Davis's wife Sarah who made most of the final decisions about design and decor and it cost more than originally planned. It was her sanctuary for entertaining guests, family and growing her plants inside the home and outside in her expansive gardens and orchards, a small part which remain on the property now. The original property was subdivided several times and is now surrounded by regular large neighborhood dwellings. The mansion is unusually newer than those historic homes I have visited in the past, so this had indoor plumbing for most living areas, several showers and water closets. I think the lighting was both gas and electric. The servants quarters are generous for the time and every guest was to be treated as if they were at home. There is a great little library, both law books and literature, upstairs and Sarah Davis's bedroom is amazing, she used it to have her morning coffee and enjoy her plants without having to get all dolled up if she didn't feel like it. The house was restored after the 1960s when the family donated it. The new wallpaper, painting and carpets were copied from original photographs and notes made in letters. Most of the furniture is authentic to the house or at least the period. There is no photography on the grounds inside or out without a permit. The gift shop is in the well-lit cellar, you can purchase history books, souvenirs for visiting or seeds to sow your own Sarah's Garden. A welcome visitor's center up the drive from the mansion itself features a video, restroom, and brochures from more area landmarks. And that's where you make your plans for your guided tour. The two women who guided our tour were wonderful and knew their cards by heart. We had a few questions that stumped them, but they were very obscure questions!

Beautiful place to tour. Knowledgeable staff - worth checking out, particularly during the holidays. You won't be disappointed. Master gardener kept gardens.

This site is one of my favorites to take out-of-town guests! An unexpected treasure on the prairie, everyone enjoys its unique architecture and, of course, its connection to President Lincoln. I have visited many times over the years and never tire of hearing the family history and stories related by the tour guide. Heartfelt thanks to all who have invested their time and money to restore and maintain this estate!

The mansion is beautiful. It has been restored with as many original artifacts as possible. We were told that the same carpet pattern was purchased from the same company as when the house was built. So much rich detail. It looks like the Davis family simply stepped out of the room while we looked around.

We went back again for the civil war reenactment on the front lawn. There are so many great storytellers in this area. This is definitely worth your time. No admission fee but donation suggested.

The house is very nice and is fun to walk through. The history behind the house and David Davis' life makes the tour even more fun. Cool attraction to see once. The location of the building is unexpectedly in the middle of a neighborhood, but you will have a good time walking through this piece of Civil War era history.

Judge David Davis made a lot of money by land speculation; buying when Bloomington was just starting and selling when Bloomington boomed in population in the 1800s. The house he and his wife had built - when he was nearly 60 - both was ornate and practical. Tours start right after the hour. You get a 20-minute video at 9:10, 10:10, 11:10 in a small visitors center by the property entrance. Then, an hour-long guided tour from someone well versed on Davis and the dozen rooms in the house - everything on the main floor, second floor - including the servant's quarters - and the laundry area in the basement. Gives a sense for how the rich lived in the mid-to-late 1800s - a time when quality workmanship was huge. They even had a brick outbuilding that would have been wood for nearly everyone else - to keep up appearances! The property stayed in the family for 80 years; so fortunately wasn't torn down or subdivided like most mansions of that time. We were the only ones on our tour - had every question answered - and our guide was willing to stay as long as needed. There's a garden outside that we went through after the tour that took another 10 minutes.

This is a very beautiful restored home form history. I ent many years ago as a Girl Scout, and even the I apperciated the beauty and history of this house. I would not recommend taking young chlidren though, they may not get anything out of the experience.

I spent an hour here in February 2014 just walking the grounds taking pictures of this beautiful Victorian mansion and its surrounding buildings. With the house and its several out buildings, it's like stepping back in time. Even if you only have an hour to spend and want to do something cool, check out this place. Walking around the outside during their operating hours is free, but you might want to stop in the visitor center and drop off some kind of donation in the box anyway--they really appreciated when I did that. If you have more time, they offer tours of the inside of the house. I plan on going back sometime and checking out the inside.

When they run a civil war re-enactment, this is the best time to visit the mansion of the former Supreme Court Justice and Abe Lincolns law partner and friend. It will be an entire afternoon of activities and don't worry food is available. You will feel like you have gone back to the Civil War days.

Nicely preserved Mansion, but the best thing was our docent. She was so knowledgeable and willing to answer questions. Delightful tour.

I did not find the tour to be very interesting. I also don't think the home is that unique. I have been on better house tours. The grounds are just okay too.

Beautifully maintained mansion filled with original furniture and family materials. Gives a good snapshot of high Victorian living. Be sure to look carefully when you get to the library -- there are several original large John Wesley Powell photographs from his famous Grand Canyon explorations -- David Davis was a one of Powell's patrons -- wonderful photos in an unexpected place!

This was a wonderful surprise when we toured the Davis Mansion. What a beautiful home with an interesting history. Well worth the the time to go the home. My 14 yr old son even thought it was interesting.

We have been in the home several time when our Car show was being held on the grounds. The home is outstanding. Beautifully kept. Helpful tour guides and a fun gift shop.. My personal favorite is the garden. You can go through the garden then go to the gift shop and buy the heirloom seeds to grow at home.. We will be back.

Pretty cool! I cant remember the entire tour, but the history was cool. I was interested in the decoration. Glorious!

We never had a plan to visit this place but after reading the reviews we decided to visit David Davis Mansion.... believe me or not it was a real surprise to us ..... The mansion was awesome!! We had a initial 20 mins of video session projected at the visitor center and then the mansion tour. The Mansion tour took approximately 45 mins to an hour. The tour guide was very knowledgeable to explain all about the mansion. The interior of the building was astonishing and we couldn't imagine that this was build in 1870's.. Right from the woodwork, ceiling art paintings, the period furniture to the bathrooms were exquisite...

The house tour is very informative, being the former home of a U. S. Supreme Court Justice and colleague of A. Lincoln. They have a nice garden.

Clover Lawn AKA the David Davis Mansion State Historic Site is the Victorian home of David Davis. While I'll admit that I knew very little of him before the tour, the tour docent was very informative. For instance: he was a lawyer, Abraham Lincoln's campaign manager, a US Senator, and a Supreme Court Justice. Touring the house itself was like going back in time. A good many of the furnishings were once owned by the Davis family. But what amazed me the most was how modern the house was for the time period. If you're in the area, this is a definite place to stop.

If you are interested in architecture and history, don't miss this beautiful mansion. This was "high tech" construction in the 1890's. Beautiful woodwork and marble. Bedrooms have ensuite bathrooms and walk-in closets. We have toured many historic homes and have never seen one with such a modern infrastructure. Impressive!

I thoroughly enjoyed the David Davis mansion. I love to study Lincoln in history and David Davis was such an important part of Abraham Lincoln's life from his early days on the circuit to the Republican convention where Davis was an important member of Lincoln's supporters that energetically forced his nomination. The house has been beautifully preserved so enjoy this jewel of our history and spend the day with a larger-than-life David Davis and his beautiful home on the Prairie

Beautiful home, hand painted ceilings, hand carved woodwork. Local landmark, you have to go a couple times a year. Fall when leaves are changing and Christmas when they have the house decorated.

A very well preserved mansion built by Judge David Davis. His wife Sarah was primarily responsible for the planning and supervised the construction while the Judge was away. Davis was a close friend of Abraham Lincoln and rode with him on the 8th Judicial Circuit. Tour guides are very knowledgeable.

Every time I have taken visitors to the mansion we have really enjoyed it. The docents are very knowledgeable and it is not too crowded so that you aren't rushed and can get your questions answered.

During Abe Lincoln era, two other famous politicians from Illinois are Steve Douglas (a.k.a. Little Giant) and David Davis. I never knew who David Davis was until it popped up as tripadvisor #1 things-to-do.

Stumbled into Bloomington as our Peoria sightseeing trip ended by mid day. I never knew who David Davis was until it popped up as tripadvisor #1 things-to-do . The top rated attraction is definitely worthwhile, similar to our recent visit to Dana Thomas House in Springfield.

Tour guide Adam is a history buff & very knowledgeable of Illinois politics back in the 1840-1870 era. Things I heard & learned:
- DD was an U.S. senator, U.S. supreme court judge and U.S. vice president
- The mansion was once part of 1200-acre estate, now shrunk to <5 acres.
- DD purchased a bunch of farmland (in excess of 10,000 acres) and often paid only 3-5 cents per acre.
- although an wealthy figure in Bloomington, DD's worth is nothing compared to Pullman of Chicago
- the Victorian structure is magnificent; highly square-ish and symmetrical, with walkout basement, 14.5' ceiling, big broiler in the basement to heat up the house, and advanced gas lighting & intercom system
- beautiful painted wall & ceiling at the formal living room
- nice Steinway piano from 1860's
- famous Lincoln quote on quilt in the dining room reads "With malice toward none, with charity for all"
- two maid servants were Irish immigrants; Mr. Davis is Welsh; Mr. Davis is probably German.
- the flower garden is also a local attraction, with special events held in late June. Sometimes with tour given by the master gardener.

Suggested admission donation is $4 per adult, or $10 per family. The guided tour lasts about an hour. Currently the mansion only opens Wed-Sat.

We visited briefly in between activities and were impressed with the architecture, built ins and by many of the by gone structural amenities that come standard with a Mansion of this caliber. Impressive viewing perspectives from several angles through tall windows and lookouts complement the experience making one wonder what it would be like to have lived here. Well worth a visit. Hope this helps.

This is a must visit for fans of America and it's history. Definitely good for families with kids studying American History. An incredible snapshot of the period.

The wife and I went here on a Sunday and we were the only one's there. That's a shame. The history and connection with President Lincoln will open your eyes. This Mansion was way ahead of it's time tith indoor plumming and water. Take your time and look at the architecture and relize what they did with hand tools.
There is no admission charge but you can make a contribution after the tour if you like. No pressure

This is the beautifully preserved home of Judge David Davis whi=o was a close friend of Abraham Lincoln. The home and grounds are beautiful, especially during the Christmastime tour of local homes.

This is such an amazing home for it's time! Much unlike Lincoln's modest home in Springfield, this boasts many luxuries far beyond it's time. The home and it's grounds are beautifully maintained and truly take you back while visiting them. On a downside, it is not very child friendly. We've taken our children, but have to carry them through nearly the entire house, as most things shouldn't be touched, and the staircases are treacherous for young tots. Even our schoolager was somewhat bored b/c so much is off limits. As a field trip, as a general visit, as a girls weekend away, or any other reason, it's a lovely and informative visit.

We just drove around it and looked at it....it was boring looking and scary.it was cold outside also

In the style of the Addams Family home, this high Victorian home is a stunning place to visit.

I had a great tour guide and found it all fascinating.

A definite Bloomington-Normal must do!

Interesting history. The tour was very informative. The house is beautifully furnished and decorated wonderfully. I would definitely recommend especially if you love quality built houses.

I marveled at the the quality of the materials and workmanship that this home showcased. Of course the Davis family was very wealthy and could afford anything they wanted. I am going to go back at Christmas to see it decorated. Our tour guide was very informative and we spent around an hour and a half going through the home. The basement had some nice exhibits of period artifacts.

This is a must see attraction and it is free! Donations of course are always welcome. They had a small gift shop with a fine book selection.

I wish I had come later in the year to experience the gardens.

Very well preserved home with actual family furniture and pictures/paintings still in the house. It is smack in the middle of town now, but the Constitution Trail that abuts the grounds was the Illinois Central railroad back in the day. Judge Davis and Abraham Lincoln were close friends and this is certainly a stop for anyone that can't get enough Lincoln sites. During special events, docents dress in period costumes. It is a great view into how "fancy" folk lived back in the day, especially for today's kids that have always known cell phones and the Internet!

I love to tour historic homes. This one was an elegant home that was fun to tour. I had never heard of David Davis. For history buffs, this is a great place to stop and learn about this very wealthy family. The tour guides lacked enthusiasm and appeared to hate their jobs, but they did an adequate job in providing some great trivia about this Supreme Court judge who was allied with Abraham Lincoln.

This was a fun and unexpected little stop. There is a little video that goes through some history and then a tour of the house. What a house! It was clearly as up to date as a house in that era could be. Like sinks everywhere. We really enjoyed seeing the rooms set up how they would have been and hearing stories about how they were lived in. If you are in the area, I would recommend stopping in. It was a suggested donation of $5 I think.

I recently toured the David Davis Mansion when it was decorated for Christmas. There was a large decorated Christmas tree in almost every room. The mansion has 13.5 foot ceilings, exquisite woodwork throughout, windows of various styles and sizes, tastefully decorated rooms with period furniture from the 1800s, and excellent tour guides. Because it was built inf 1872, you climb stairs for entrance and throughout the house. The house is very modern for its time with bathrooms.

You have no idea how much history is in that mansion. Mr Davis got to be vice president of the united states and he came really close to be president.... The house is gorgeous and has lot of history.

This historic home tour was wonderful! Our guide was very familiar with the history of the home and the home itself is restored beautifully. There was very interesting artwork and historic details throughout the home.
The Davis mansion belonged to Judge David Davis and his wife Sarah Davis. Judge Davis, as we learned on the tour, was very influential in the presidential nomination of Abraham Lincoln. It was nice to get a bit of added Lincoln history during the tour, in addition to seeing how a wealthy family lived during the 1870s.
What impressed me most about this tour was that we were able to walk through almost every room, not just get a peek into them through roped-off doorways. The grounds were very nice to walk around, also, with a small garden featuring heirloom plants.
The tour was free, with donations suggested. As an added note, this is a historic home, and wheelchair access was limited.

Having toured many southern plantation homes and many millionaire mansions, I didn't have high expectations for the David Davis Mansion - Davis was an early settler (early 1800s after Illinois became a state in 1818), attorney, and investor in the development of Bloomington. He later became a Supreme Court Justice. His home is outstanding, filled with interesting memorabilia, exquisite design features and lots of history. It easily competes with other homes I've toured. Sarah's garden is maintained by the local Master Gardener group and is as true to the original as it could be.

The David Davis Mansion, also known as Clover Lawn, is located at 1000 Monroe Drive on Bloomington's near South Side. Built in 1870-1872, this three-story, 36-room yellow brick Victorian home was the residence of David Davis, the friend, mentor and campaign manager for Abraham Lincoln. As President, Lincoln appointed Davis as U.S. Supreme Court Justice in 1862, He served from 1862 to 1877 and also served as a Senator from Illinois, serving as Senate president pro tempore from 1881 to 1883. The mansion has been a state museum since 1960, was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972 and was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1975. The 4.5-acre property includes an 1872 wood house, a barn and stable, privies, a foaling shed, carriage barn and a flower and ornamental cutting garden. Davis lived in the mansion until his death in 1886. Designed by French-born architect Alfred H. Piquenard, it combines Italianate and Second Empire architectural features and is a model of mid-Victorian style and taste. Piquenard also designed the State Capitol in Springfield. The mansion was very advanced for its day. It not only had elegant furnishings and architectural features, it also had the most modern technological conveniences of the era--indoor plumbing, hot and cold running water, a central furnace, the most up-to-date gas lighting, and two modern communication systems. The circular drive around the mansion remains as it was originally configured. In his time, Davis had the distinction of being the largest landowner in Illinois. He wasn't as wealthy as Cyrus McCormick, the state's wealthiest businessman, but his estate was valued at between $4 and $5 million dollars at his death, a huge fortune in his day. The home is open to the general public from Wednesday through Saturday. Knowledgable guides give human shape and drama to the technological, architectural, cultural, political, social and aesthetic history of the Gilded Age.

We enjoyed our tour of the David Davis Mansion. We parked just past the gardens to the right of the house, and then had to walk all of the way back to the front gate to the visitor's center. If you have family members who can't walk very far, be sure to drop them at the visitor's center before you park the car. We were warmly greeted. The introductory film was very interesting and educational and gave us good background information that enhanced our tour of the house. Our docent, Linda, did an excellent job of showing the house to us. She carried a notebook that contained the facts about the house and the family and referred to it occasionally in response to our questions. I appreciated that she was committed to getting the facts straight. The tour ends at a fairly tacky gift shop, but there might have been some gems there that I just missed. There is an outbuilding that chronicles Abraham Lincoln's work as a circuit judge. We stumbled on it by accident, but it was well worth seeing.

this impressive manor is worth your time. a serious piece of american history in central illinois.
summer is great to see the gardens - watch for the car show. winter is showcased with vintage holiday decor.

You start in what looks like a small house. Watch a documentary about the family and the house. Then they take you to the house. Its a beautiful house with mostly original furnishings. The tour guide was excellent.

This beautifully and historically preserved home of a friend and fellow Judge beside and under Lincoln is a wonderful Illinois Historic site. Many special events are also housed here and on the grounds. Put it on your list of places to visit in Il.

The mansion and the history of the family that built it and their connection to Abraham Lincoln is amazing. They also have different tour for Christmas with all the decorations and traditions of its time.

What a great visit. House is full of local and the guide was very knowledgeable. They were well versed in the houses history and the local history as well we will be back.

After an initial video , you will be taken on a tour. The tour takes you through a very historically and architecturally accurate home. The guides are thorough in their understanding of the history of Judge Davis, architectural design and layout of the property. In many ways it is an excellent stop for Lincoln buffs as Judge Davis persuaded Lincoln to run for President and was appointed to the Supreme Court by him.
Lastly, the Christmas tour is excellent

Additionally, the history museum in downtown Bloomington, at the old courthouse, is an excellent ancillary stop to your visit.

It is so much fun to go through this at Christmastime. When we entered the front door, music wafted to our ears with violins playing in the background. They were baking cookies so that smelled wonderful also! They take you through the mansion explaining the hx of it all. Very interesting and beautiful place!

A true treasure of the state! Great docent (Cecilia), she was kind, patient and accommodating. We never felt rushed and learned a lot about the owner of the mansion and the history of the place . beautiful house and grounds as well as the outlying structures around the mansion. You tour 3 levels and will be impressed at the accomodations. They really did a great job of restoring this mansion to it’s former glory. It’s one of the best mansion tours in Illinois. A must see if you are in the area and love history and the area’s connection to Abraham Lincoln. We gave a donation as well as purchased a lot of items from the gifts shop to help the foundation that maintains the mansion. They even have a garden that has some of the ORIGINAL plants on it. That’s amazing! You’re talking about plants that have been around since the 1870s!

A stunning mansion and excellent tour. Gives you a glimpse as to how a successful politician lived at the time. The suggested donation was very affordable.

Excellent historical tour. Step back in time to see what life was like when Abraham Lincoln walked the streets of Bloomington. Doesn't take to long to tour. Small estate is easy to navigate.

small fee but worth the money. Well furnished and restored home. usually decorated for holidays. small walk through garden and stables.

All the widows were of a different style, yet looked well together. The ironwork is of different styles also.

You must stop here. Great house to go through and learn about the history of this place and Lincoln.

This well restored mansion has lots of significance and connection to President Lincoln. Our docent was well versed and encouraged questions. The intro video was excellent. No admission fee, but a donation was encouraged.

Great historic mansion to visit. We usually go on the 1st Friday in August when they have the McLean County Antique Auto Club which brings antique cars and food items for purchase. The mansion has special showings for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

It's interesting not matter what time of year you go but Christmas is my favorite time. The volunteers go all out in re-creating the ambiance that was experienced by the Davis family.

Accidentally came across this beautiful home and very much enjoyed the tour and story.
Well worth the time to visit this historic home. It’s a unique way to relive the past and learn first hand how people lived in those days. Even the wealthy were without indoor plumbing and AC. Things we so often take for granted. Will never forget, now, who David Davis was.

we had a great tour of the house and its grounds. our tour guide was a student from the local university and his English wasn't good but he was trying his best and pointed some great details of the house. the family & i had a great time

What a beautiful place to visit. Spring & Summer there is Sarah's garden. Many original pieces. Christmas season is absolutely gorgeous! If you like history a must do. The mansion is gem

The best time to visit is during the Christmas season. They have everything decorated with period appropriate decorations. Guides tell a wonderful story of the history of the mansion.

This was a fun morning. We saw the whole mansion. We visited all of the rooms. Very interesting. We then walked around the grounds. Saw the antique car showAnd the gardens. It was a fun day.

Can't really do 5 stars only because it is basically a house of a man only partly know by people in Bloomington. The workers are very nice and willing to answer all your questions, but they don't always know the answers.

Take the tour walk the grounds and tour the garden, you will be glad you did. The docent does a very good job explaining the mansion and it's history. This is a historic site during the time of President Lincoln. Very well maintained.

This is a nice place for history buffs to visit or people interested in old homes. I believe at Christmas it is one of the best times to go as it is decorated in Christmas motif.

This house museum is a beautiful 19th-century mansion. The furnishings and decorative arts are worth a trip. The role that Judge Davis played in Lincoln's career and that Sarah played in the life of the community add to the interest. Be sure to check out Sarah's Garden, which includes a number of original and restored plantings. The museum hosts are wide range of community events on the grounds as well including numerous car shows, garden events, and re-enactments.

I have a great time here. I learn so much at here. The guide is very knowledgeable about the place. They have original pieces at here

Much of the house is as it was when David Davis lived there. Plus, they have a lot of documentation about the family and life at the time when the area was being settled. The house is in beautiful condition, and the tour guides are knowledgeable and interesting.

I have visited numerous times and enjoyed each time. The home is decorated in the traditional period Christmas motif in December, making this visit extra special.

The current property owners have done a great job of depicting the life of affluence in the 19th century. And the ties to local history and Abraham Lincoln are fascinating for anyone with a natural curiosity of American history.

This is an absolute beautiful home and a wonderful piece of history. I really enjoy the tours here and learning so much about David Davis. I enjoy walking around the home especially in the garden. The mansion is so beautiful when it is decorated for Christmas! However, every time I go for a tour, the tour guides provided are very rude. On one occasion, I went upstairs to look at one of the bedrooms for a Christmas tour. There was an older lady sitting near the bedroom on a stool. I smiled at her, expecting a tour of the bedroom and upstairs. The lady just sat on the stool and ignored me. She acted like I was bothering her and was trying to ignore me. I have tried to be nice to some of the volunteers here and have received the same responses in return. The Christmas tour was the last tour I attended and do not plan on going back.

Love the mansion, especially at Christmas time. The staff is awesome as well.

Had a "Titanic Tea" at the Mansion. The food was delicious, the program informative (I learned a lot I never knew about the Titanic and people who traveled on it), and the tour of the mansion afterwards was also informative. Lovely, well maintained historic building.

I have visited many historic homes and this has to be near the top of the list for the best restoration. The tour guide was very knowledgeable and we enjoyed the video and garden. Allow at least an hour - learn something new about a former Supreme Court Justice and life in Bloomington in the endof the 1800's.

Lincoln-era mansion decorated in period style. Docents do walking tours for a nominal donation. Especially pretty at holiday season with many trees decorated in Victorian manner. The kitchen is the high point!

My family is from the area and I have visited the David Davis Mansion many times throughout the years since I was an elementary school student. What I particularly like about it is that there is something new every season to enjoy. Today, they had an exhibit called "Prairie Posh" with clothing exhibited throughout the house from the Edwardian period. There were little pictures of the characters from "Downton Abbey" wearing similar clothing. For a fan of the TV show, it was a lot of fun to see. Our tour guide today was friendly and knowledgable and pointed out a lot of interesting features of the house. Every docent is a little different, but they are all very passionate about the house and I feel like I always learn something new. We also had a chance to visit Sarah's Garden today, which made for a lovely outdoor stroll.

During the fall, you can go on a special tour to see how Sarah Davis brought the Eastern celebration of Thanksgiving to the area and see her lavish Victorian Thanksgiving table. My favorite time of year to visit is Christmastime, when there is a beautifully-decorated tree in every room, covered in period ornaments. You can learn about how a Victorian Christmas was celebrated and every room has artifacts to illustrate the gifts, games, cards, etc. that would have been common to that era. They also are part of a joint effort called Christmas at the Mansions, where you can visit several historic homes in Bloomington-Normal decked out in Christmas finery. The house is still decorated beautifully, but you miss out on the Victorian Christmas information from the docent during that event. They also have other seasonal exhibits, such as a St. Patrick's Day event with interpreters dressed as the servants preparing for the celebration. If you're in the area and have an interest in the Victorian Era, Lincoln, or historic homes/gardens, the mansion is definitely worth visiting any time of year.

We went for Halloween one year & they give the kids candy after the tour. The house is very nicely decorated. Another time, the staff was in period costumes. They are very knowledgeable on David Davis and Blm/Normal. Been there a few times and always enjoy it. Very small donation requested. Worth it.

This mansion was built in the 1800's and has been continually lived in by the Davis family until the 1960s. It is an excellent example of a nicely done, stately home without the over the top things you see in other mansions. Worth the visit!

stumbled across this museum from a trip to bloomington for weekend. it's a significant story in the role of the state and lincoln yet not well known.

we went on a late afternoon and were given a great personal tour that was free (but donations accepted). there an introductory video that helps with context. and the house itself is very well maintained. we were surprised how accessible the rooms were (usually places have ropes that prevent access). the tour guide was passionate about the place and it showed.

They have a special tour of older homes around Christmas that is organized and begins and ends at the David Davis home. There are guided tours in all the homes with lots of history. It has quite a lot of town & Illinois history connected to it. Definitely worth seeing. There was a small nominal fee for the Christmas tour of homes to cover the shuttle buses.

We toured the mansion as part of "Christmas at the Mansions." This one was decorated lavishly for Christmas, not necessarily historically correct but very appealing. Costumed interpreters in every room answered questions and were quite knowledgeable. The mansion is exceptionally well maintained. During the day, you can visit the outbuildings as well.

We stopped here on a road trip from Chicago to Springfield as a good mid-stopping point to stretch our legs. I do not like to 'waste' a road trip stop and so I chose this mansion tour. It was super cool. The home is beautiful. Our tour guide was a college student and was very knowledgeable for his age. The gardens were being cared for by volunteers and so we got to spend some time chatting with them about how they care for these plants and which ones are still original. Parking is plentiful and the tour is free with recommended donation.

This no doubt was a stately mansion in its time. This renovation of the home is helping to restore it to original beauty. Read the Guy Fraker book about Lincoln on the Eighth Circuit prior to visiting this site. It will help you to understand the significance of Judge David Davis in the rise of Abraham Lincoln to the Presidency.

I was lucky to visit on a day they had docents as a cook and maids. It was very nice and a unique home for this time period. Definitely worth a visit!

What a gem! We had a couple of hours to kill on our recent visit to Bloomington, IL. Thank goodness for Tripadvisor! I quickly found the David Davis historical mansion as a top site to see. Beautifully maintained snapshot into the life and times in Abe Lincoln's era. You rarely get such an "up close and personal" type of tour. No "ropes" to keep the visitors at bay. The docent was knowledgeable and conveyed interesting and helpful facts. I highly recommend visiting.

Very pleasant and interesting tour by our guide Jeff of the mansion of a prominent guided age politician (Lincoln’s friend and campaign manager). Interesting original furnishings, garden with original perennial flowers from the 19th century. Well worth a visit.

This was a surprise to me, I am a history buff and had never heard of David Davis and his national and state presence.
The house was state of the art in 1870 and rivals the Biltmore on adminaties.
The volunteer staff really love this home and it shows when they give tours the little details that bring the family to life.
Outside there are some of the original out buildings and the original flower garden with several original plants that are 130+ years old still in the spot they were planted by Mrs. Davis and her gardeners in the 1870's.
This was well worth the visit.

Very unexpected but very nice your! Will be looking for other tours like this! The tour guild was great and made sure we took as long as we needed in each room

Probably not as famous as Lincoln, his mentor Judge David Davis also owns a place of pride in American history. This prim and prime place tells amusing and little known stories of their friendship You feel as if you have been transported to the Victorian era. Quite an experience and well maintained too.

It was a girl's day out, we visited for the holiday Christmas tour. Fabulous decorations for the time period. Very interesting information about the family, friends & the house. Would definitely recommend this as a site-seeing destination.

We had a car show there each spring and the grounds are perfect for that. The house is full of history and makes a nice time filler while there. The mature trees are a nice touch as well. Not much more to say.

I grew up in Normal, IL, with parents who were active volunteers here. My sisters and I spent a lot of time at events and often went with my mom to take tours or visit with other volunteers. I love the little details scattered about the house (exposed wallpaper, smells of food cooking, things on the tables) and the tour guides are fabulously trained to know the history of the home and the family. There is SO much history with this house and it's a must-stop pit stop for any visitor.

As we stepped into the home yesterday, I was instantly thrown back into my childhood of walking around the place! From the creaks in the floor to the smells in each room, you could feel the love and passion of the tour guides and the caretakers of this place.

And not to forget Sarah's Garden! There are events are centered around her garden and it is well maintained to represent a passion of Sarah Davis, complete with a few plants that are original to the property.

There is no fee to visit, but rather a "welcomed donation" to help maintain this attraction.

If you're looking for a place to visit that shows off character of IL, this is a place to go. It's nestled among homes and therefore a hidden gem in Bloomington, IL.

This civil war era home is displayed in pristine, original condition. Well informed docents take visitors back in time while relating social and historical perspectives to modern times. You'll be informed, amazed by what you see, and warmed by the hospitality. From kiddos to grandparents, this is a site well worth your time. An hour from Springfield makes this location a must see on any tour. The young children in my family adore this home and have seen it many times, recalling information and learning new details as they matured. But certainly a must for adults and teens.

What a treat for the Christmas season. Every room was decked out in period decorations. The tour guide was so welcoming and knowledgeable about the every day life of the Davis family. Not only that but she went out of her way to make a family with young children involved with the tour by having them look for different items such as the pickle in each tree. You really felt as if you had stepped back in time. A marvelous architecture with all the modern conveniences available at that time. Donation is the only thing they ask. The tour begins at the Visitor Center where they show you a slide show of the family, the time period and the relationship between Davis and Lincoln. If you like history this is a must see.

WE took our family of 3 boys and 2 nephews for the Civil War days on the property. It was extremely well done and interesting. Our boys loved it!! it was a great family day activity. We even bought homemade rootbeer! YUM

My husband and I have an interest in Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War. This mansion is a fine representation of the period. Very nicely up kept and the docent was very knowledgeable.

We've gone to the Davis mansion for years, and it's always a treat. For those who don't know, Judge David Davis was a friend of Abraham Lincoln, whom he came to know during Lincoln's frequent visits to Bloomington as a circuit court lawyer. The mansion was built after Lincoln's death, but serves as a window into life in the late 1800s. The staff is wonderful and knowledgable, and the mansion is host to many seasonally-themed events throughout the year. A must-see!

Great stop. Video and guided tour. Free, but donation appreciated. Provided a lot of information on Lincoln prior to his presidency. Tour guide was knowledgeable and friendly. Tour was about an hour. Additional tours available depending on calendar, ie garden tour, mechanical room tour.

We spent some time touring the home. It is very impressive and showcased a lot of history of Illinois and the David Davis family. The tour begins with an informational video before going into the home. The house itself is very majestic, especially for the time in which it was built. The tour is free but they ask for a donation. It's run by the State of Illinois and would highly recommend checking it out!

This house was beyond cool. The history in this house was very interesting and there was a lot of original items to the house that made it even better. We had a private, guided tour and the host was wonderful and full of knowledge. Highly recommended!

Wife and I had our own wonderful tour guide! The house has so much history and is really worth a visit!

took the 3 mansion tour last fall/winter and the historic David Davis Mansion was the best of the three choices.

I live close to the Davis Davis mansion but had never stopped by to see the interior. One boring day, my wife invited me to tour the place for the Christmas holidays. I'm certainly glad I did. The guided tour was free and the guide very knowledgeable. I like old architecture and this place has plenty of it and other stuff to see, like the antique zinc walled bath tub and the marvel lavatories in each room. This is definitely a place to see whether you are passing by or live here.

We always end up touring old historic homes on our vacations. This one was one of the best. A very informative video about the background of the family followed by the tour. There is a lot of original items still in the home and it is in great condition.

Blast to the Past! This beautifully restored mansion was the home of David Davis, friend of Abrham Lincoln. It sits on beaitful grounds and gardens where many festivals and events take place at the mansion. During the year the home is opened for holiday showing which are very special reinactments of the period when Judge Davis lived. It is worth the time to see this home if you are interested in history or architecture.

An interesting trip through an old fashioned, advanced for the time home. The grounds are well kept, and the house is worth taking a look if you are into antiques, history, or architecture.

I am history buff and love touring old restored buildings of historical significance. This gorgeous Victorian mansion is such a building. Built by Lincoln's law partner (and appointed to US Supreme Court) and great friend, David Davis, this building is beautiful inside and out. Start by seeing a short movie in the visitor's center and then take the guided tour with one of the well informed, friendly docents. I wish I could remember our docent's name because she was wonderful. So much of the house is original and the house Is a fine example of the time period. Just loved this place. Well worth your time, It is a residential section of town. Admission is free but please help out with a donation.

Great historical site. I have been many times over the last 50 years. Check out the mansion and grounds, you will enjoy it.

One thing is sure, if you travel to a new area and you don't do any research, you may be missing out on an opportunity to learn about history or experience something totally new. Do your research. First and foremost, this tour is FREE! Yes, I did say free. To enter this mansion and walk through the rooms and marvel at the decor, and do this with a TOUR GUIDE to tell you the historical story, and get all of this free, is like a gift! The mansion is beyond spectacular. It is opulent and grand and takes you back in time to observe first hand how people made their lives in the mid 1800's. The architecture is amazing. When you contemplate that power tools and technology were not available you can't help but marvel at the detailed work that went into building this mansion. The quality of woodworking and design are something to appreciate. The tour is about 30-45 minutes and the docent is VERY knowledgeable. Hopefully, you will leave here more appreciative of what our forefathers were able to accomplish.

Great place to tour. We arrived late in the afternoon. We were the only visitors there at the time so we got a personal tour. The tour was interesting and enjoyable. The tour guide was very knowledgeable.

House in excellent condition for it’s age. Our guide was very knowledgeable and there were so many original pieces of furniture and even a carpet. Books in the library also original. It is a beautiful mansion and worth a stop to see it

I love learning about history and try to soak up everything I read or see. My wife had heard about the David Davis Mansion and that she wanted to visit it. Well I didn't know anything about him so I chalked it up as just another place my wife wanted to drag me off to. Then she told me he was a good friend of Abe Lincolns and the place was like a historical museum. So I agreed to go with her. WOW! was I surprised ! The tour guide was very knowledgable and and told interesting stories about the frienship and bond between Abe Lincoln and this man who was Abe's mentor later bacame a Supreme Cout Justice. The libraries are full of the very books that these men read and studied together that helped shape our nation along with the desks and chairs that they sat in. What was also truely amazing to me was that unknown to eveybody, Lincoln gave most of his life time accumulation of documents, letters, etc. to David Davis for safe keeing and they weren't discoverd until 100 years latter. What is also neat about this house was that it was one of the most technically advanced houses in the world for that time.
Stop in here and take a lok around. I am sure that, like me, you will be very pleased you did.

If you like to go see old victorian homes, I highly recommend visiting the David Davis Mansion. It is very grand and beautiful inside. If you like history, David Davis was a judge and had ties to Abraham Lincoln and he did visit the estate. We were told that when Lincoln passed away he was his executor. You will have a guided tour that lasts around an hour and there is no admission fee but they do have a few donation boxes. You will also see a small video before the tour. Follow directions to the home, it is in the middle of a subdivision and you will think you you are going the wrong way but you aren't. The grounds have a small garden, a barn, and a carriage house. Well worth the time. I would go again if ever in the area.

I didn't even know who David Davis was before I visited here. But now I do, thanks to our excellent guide. She was extremely knowledgeable about David Davis and Abraham Lincoln. The house and the grounds were beautiful. Would recommend to anyone who is interested in the history of Illinois, David Davis, and Abraham Lincoln.

You start out at the Visitor Center with a short video about the history of the home. The whole tour including house and garden took about 45 minutes. We enjoy history so this was perfect for us. The home is so beautiful!

This is the home of a good friend of Abraham Lincoln's, a man Lincoln appointed to the Supreme Court. It's large and beautiful. What really interested me is that this is about the oldest home I've seen with indoor plumbing.

I highly recommend a visit. Christmas is a great time to tour. The guides are very good and you may be surprised about what you learn regarding our local history and the Davis family.

late nineteenth century mansion with cutting edge technology for the day. large volume of family documents allow for a very personalized historic experience. very well maintained

Toured on a special garden tours event. Enjoyed the restored house with original furnishings, as well as the garden.

This is a must see attraction, especially if you like history. This is the home of Judge David Davis, who was a close friend and supporter of Abraham Lincoln. The house and grounds are absolutely stunning especially if you go during Christmas season when the house is all decorated! Going through the house, you will learn so much about the time period. Great of everyone!

Tour was very interesting - from the Irish servants point of view - my kids paid attention the entire time and loved the corned beef as a bonus at the end.

I found our tour guide to be a little long-winded; however, it seemed like one of the guests on the tour knew more about the house than the guide did. It also seemed like most of the furniture were just period pieces. They weren't original to the house at all. Some things were just recreations. That's definitely not what I was expecting. The best part was that it was decorated with Christmas decorations. Everything was definitely beautiful.

been years but I do enjoy garden events and Christmas at Mansion.
The Christmas event is in full gala and historical.

This place is rich with it. Hard to imagine sometimes that David Davis owned this much land, was good friends with President Lincoln, and had amenities in this mansion that were decades ahead of it's time. This place is beautiful inside, and decorated beautifully for the holidays. Well worth a couple hours to check this place out!

Beautiful home, and grounds. The history comes alive! I highly recommend a visit. They have a civil war battle in the Summer that is really neat.

This beautiful home has been lovingly maintained, and offers a wonderful glimpse into the lives of the Davis family. It is decorated for various seasons, as well (Christmas, Thanksgiving). The site also plays host to numerous community events throughout the year. It is free (suggested donation) and the guides are very knowledgeable.

We toured this mansion with Kathy as our guide. She did such a wonderful job of giving us the history and making us feel very welcome. We were not familiar with David Davis since we were from Ohio but we did learn a lot. The mansion is beautiful inside and out. This is a must see. They do not charge but do ask for donations. Seeing the home with a lot of the original furnishings is an added plus. We spoke to two of the woman working in the garden and they were very knowledgeable and friendly. I’m so sorry we didn’t get their names.

Well preserved local historical home, with many artifacts from the family and the period. Very relevant for anyone who is a Lincoln enthusiast - many connections between this family and Lincoln I didn't know and researched more about later. We were lucky to get a "personal" tour because our family was the only one there that morning.

We went there the day after Christmas. The house was all decorated for Christmas. There was a little girl in the other group and they gave her a book to find different things that were decorated in the house. We have been there before but it is always fun to go back.

David Davis was an early supporter of Abraham Lincoln and was appointed by him to the US Supreme Court. At least that's what the tour guide told us.
His mansion is absolutely incredible and could serve as a wonderful movie set.
It's not a long tour but if you enjoy historic tour, this is one of the best things to see in Bloomington.

One of the best preserved victorian homes from the mid 19th century in the US. Original interior and decor. Original furnishings. Many original artifacts intact and in place. Our excellent tour guide, Andrew, was very knowledgeable and courteous. One of the most beautiful homes I've ever seen. My wife can't wait to see it at Christmas! An Illinois must see.