Wheelchair-accessible car park
Yes
David Davis Mansion in Bloomington
Categories
Location on the map
Bloomington, McLean County, Illinois, US
Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible toilet
Yes
Wheelchair-accessible entrance
No
Amenities
Good for kids
Yes
Toilets
Yes
Phone: +1 309-828-1084
Site: http://daviddavismansion.org/
Site: http://daviddavismansion.org/
Opening hours
- Monday:Closed
- Tuesday:Closed
- Wednesday:9AM–3:30PM
- Thursday:9AM–3:30PM
- Friday:9AM–3:30PM
- Saturday:9AM–3:30PM
- Sunday:Closed
Comments (127)
Beautiful mansion and friendly staff with detailed tour.
No pictures allowed inside unfortunately, so youll just have to go see for yourself. Really beautiful house, and Im so glad its being preserved. Go see the oldest bidet in Bloomington! I visited during a Christmas program and there were way too many people. I look forward to returning and actually being able to talk with the docents. There is a nice gift shop in the basement.
An unbelievable house and historical tour. One of the best tour I have ever been on. A must for old Victorian home lovers and well worth the time.
Really knowledgeable tour guide. Great fun for the family.
Great Christmas decorations at the mansion!
A step back in time. If you like history then youve got to visit here.
Was really interesting and the tour guide made an effort to engage with my younger kids since some of the history was not as exciting. The tour group was small so it was easy to hear and ask questions. Nice little slice of history.
Beautifully restored home!!! John was an outstanding tour guide!!!!
Very beautiful historic tour!
I loved the Turkey Buzzards hanging out on the roof.
Unexpectedly authentic- I figured there would be the usual period reproductions in the house, but everything belonged to the family. An incredible, in depth view into the lives of a prosperous mid 19th century family, with lots of insight into David Davis personal, political and especially judicial role in events of that time from tour guide Adam, a local grad student. Highly recommended for history or antiques/architecture buffs.
We visited the mansion today. While there were just two of us on the tour, we felt as if we were rushed through the entire house.When I visit historic houses, I like to linger a bit and NOT be pushed through.Its not like the Davis house has to hold back throngs of visitors during this pandemic.The second thing that really bothered me was the docent (Adam) we had. In 2 rooms, after he gave his speech and we looked around, he was on his phone...really ???As well, while the docent Adam had alot of information to impart...his delivery of said information sounded very mechanical and over rehearsed.I am a volunteer house docent at another historic house site in Illinois and we as well have alot of information to impart. The major difference we keep eye contact and talk to our guests like 2 friends having a conversation.I felt like Adam was lecturing to us.I am happy to return to visit the Davis Mansion as long as,I am not rushed through the house again. And the docent takes the time to explain and not lecture. And leave their phone in their pocket !The house is lovely and it deserves a chance to show off its Victorian splendor to its visitors.
The Christmas decorations are beautiful. The volunteers selected great themes for each room. The docent was knowledgeable. The intern was pleasant. It was a great day trip with a high school friend and 2 other retirees.
The home is beautiful and the Christmas decorations are exquisite. The tour left a little to be desired. Truthfully, I would have rather wandered on my own at my own pace and read placards or a brochure or something. But the home itself is very lovely and worth a visit.
This site is stunning. Beautiful grounds and an immaculate interior. The tour guides are very detailed and passionate about the place. I greatly enjoyed the little gift shop as well. It had a bunch of things for kids and adults alike. I cannot wait to go back and bring more people with me!
Very interesting! A lot of history close to home.
Great historical stop, only $4 a person for an amazingly informative tour. Planning on taking my family the next time they visit! Warning: no where to sit during tour. This is not for people who cant stand for more than an hour or more. If we hadnt had a prior engagement, our tour guide would have loved to give a 3 hour tour!! Loved her!
I spent an hour here in February 2014 just walking the grounds taking pictures of this beautiful Victorian mansion and its surrounding buildings. 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. 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.
This is a one of a kind spot for History buffs. It is unique to Bloomington and Central Illinois. With a deep connection to Lincoln, The Davis house has a wealth of knowledge you can walk away with. Our tour guide was great, he could recall many detailed facts about the house, the items in it, as well as info of the time. This is a great place to enjoy the past, a nice stop to stretch out your legs if your just passing through. I will return again.
Its nice little walk into the history and old tales. The tours guides are very friendly and gives an entertaining peek through the Victorian era of the town and history. The gift shop is also nice and cute.
My husband and I really enjoy architecture and history, so this was the perfect place to explore! Start at the visitors center! There, they show you a short film about David Davis, when he built the house and about the architecture of the time. After that, we had a nice tour. There were only four of us, so we felt very comfortable asking questions along the way! The house is beautiful and even more so because the Christmas decorations were up! The tour guide had a great amount of information about each room and how it was used and why it was designed the way it was. We probably only spent a little over an hour here, but in that time we learned and saw so much!
The mansion is so cool to see the inside. The tour guide was very knowledgeable. Worth checking out, if you are in the area.
Beautiful mansion excellent tour
Awesome British car show.
The David Davis mansion is a restored 1870s home in bloomington. On this visit, they decorated it for christmas with period decorations. I have been a few times and always look forward to going again to see the different seasons decorations. The home and grounds are well maintained and the staff is professional and knowledgeable.
Im usually not a fan of quided tours because they can be awkward and I tend to linger, but this was a great experience. Frank was very informative and didnt rush me at all as I gawked at the architecture. Ill definitely be back!
This house is magnificent! Well worth your time to tour. poo ur hostess was extremely knowledgeable & shared many stories. So glad we went on this tour.
Terrific vehicle show on the grounds today. The show included a wide variety of cars, motorcycles, and even a few wood boats. Beautiful place for an event like this.
So beautiful! Felt like I was watching a very good movie. Right in the middle of each scene.
Absolutely beautiful! Love visiting there, one of my very favorite places to go. Love hearing about the history. Very knowledgeable staff. Looking forward to going back.
Great place lots of history and information learn lots about the person
This was a Fantastic tour though time love the history of this home
We brought my WWII Veteran Father in Law and we all very much enjoyed ourselves. Staff was very knowledgeable and the museum was very interesting.
Beautiful Victorian mansion. Sad that the bad streets make it an ordeal to get to it.
Beautiful historic mansion. Interesting history of David Davis and Abraham Lincoln. Inviting place to visit and tour!
Loved every bit of it and the british car show too.
Such a beautiful mansion! The decorations for Christmas were amazing and loved the staff who very knowledgeable about the history.
The history in this house is amazing. A real must see in the Bloomington area its free to get in. It is a guided tour and so cool to learn about early Illinois and lawyer abe Lincoln
We didnt get to take advantage of the tour but from the outside it was GRAND!! How I would have loved to walk through the halls of this beautiful mansion.
Very nice event!
We hosted a bridal shower today at David Davis Mansion and we had a perfect day! The room was absolutely beautiful and Audrey was helpful in the planning process.
Well preserved over time. Nice guided tour to the mansion. It was beautifully decorated for Christmas at the time of visit.
Loved the tour. Really worth a visit
It was really nice trip from Springfield. I didnt know much of the history so it was enlightening. Would like to go back when its decorated for Christmas.
Wonderful historical place but its only open certain days and hours. Check their website before you go.
Awesomely preserved mansion build in 1872 by Juge David Davis, who definitely influenced American history. Visit is free, dont miss it..
Was in the area and thought we would go for a visit. We happened to be there at the perfect time, as it was the time President Lincoln was also visiting. What a nice jewel in central Illinois.
Such a great experience- an awesome tour of an old fashioned and greatly kept-up home! Beautiful!
I drove by and pulled over to take pictures, very pretty. If your driving around by this area, I think its worth the stop even if you dont get out of the car.
A very special place, with lots of history.
Beautiful and significantly historic mansion in a lovely park in central Bloomington. Dont miss the gardens!
Wonderful historical site that often sponsors events of local interest, including yesterdays vintage car show!
Its a holiday tradition to go and see the David Davis mansion all done up in its holiday decor- its like falling into a Dickens novel.
The staff really cares about maintaining the history and educating the public. A great visit for locals and people from out of town.
Great tours and knowledgeable people. Can ask nearly any question and they will tell you so much.
Beautiful mansion and grounds. Host of the Champaign British Car Festival that I attend and enjoy each year.
It looks like it was built in the 18 hundreds. I dont think anyone even lives in it anymore. The white house is much more like a mansion
Have toured at special times.Always well done. Volunteer as a host in their Garden Tours.
Wonderful place for a visit! Love the Victorian era houses/mansions.
I caught a Christmas tour, it was cool! Lots of history, cool looking building
Interesting place, nicely maintained. Good tour of the house
Historic mansion that is well maintained and staffed with knowledgeable volunteer tour guides.
Beautiful old home, open for tours. Lovely place.
So beautiful decorated for Christmas cant wait to come back in Spring for the auto show
Only does one tour an hour. Not well documented on wed site.
Its an amazing experience the let you walk through the whole house
This is a great place to take kids for a learning experience about the Victorian houses
A great city landmark that shows how cool this town was in the 1800s.
Amazing historical building. The garden is exquisite!
I love the decorations love the history of that mansion so much love it
Beautiful place. Secluded yet not to far from the city.
Well worth a visit! Lovingly restored and cared for!
I was suprised the tour was donation only! Very beautiful
Beautiful house. Recommended stop. Donations only
Very nice mansion it has a copper tub
Worth a small donation to tour. Kids call it the castle whenever we drive by.
What a treasure to have in central Illinois, way ahead of its time in1870, does need a little TLC though.
Free! And so interesting. Great way to spend a few hours.
Wonderful museum and garden.
Good tour. Neat place to visit.
Always an educational visit. Love the mansion.
Very interesting place to visit and our guide was very informative
I love the experience
The home is well-maintained and adored by the staff and volunteers.
Super neat place to visit and I think it was free
Very interesting mansion. Lots of history
Beautiful and the guide was very knowledgeable.
Great place love the garden!
Great docent-led tour.
Went on a field trip once and it was fun
Great History. Essential part of IL History.
Always a lovely place to visit
Very beautiful.
Very interesting, informative tour..
Great museum to visit.
Just checking things out, nice house
What a great tour of the house.
Go there! It is very cool!!!!
Loved the information and beautiful home
Very fun and educational.
Worth the trip!
Fun way to look back in time.
Great tour
What a great piece of history!
Awsome !
Very cool
The staff is very friendly
Very gogeous mansion
Seems boring
Guide was not knowledgeable
Great place to visit
It was awesome!
Besutiful old mansion
It was great
Beautiful
Must see place
Interesting
Total reviews rating 4.8
127 Reviews for David Davis Mansion 2023:
Review №1
2022-07-03These old houses in Illinois are really a treasure. I especially love the old Architecture and seeing how people used to live. The tour guide was awesome, but the video was a bit on the boring side (and I like this stuff). Overall a very good visit.Plan on about an hour.
Review №2
2021-10-01I had a lovely time walking through this well-preserved mansion. The decor was recreated so nicely, as if the original owner merely stepped out for the day. I felt as though I had time traveled back to the early 19th century. Truly a sight to behold! My volunteer guide was wonderful at relaying information about this location as well. It’s currently free to walk the grounds although a donation is always appreciated. I had a spectacular time envisioning an era long since passed, thank you.
Review №3
2022-06-10Great venue for the Champagne British Car Festival! The grounds were beautiful, with the gardens available to view. The mansion was open, and was a great way to transport back in time. Much history to experience!
Review №4
2022-04-02Fantastic house museum! The guide was very knowledgeable. Would highly recommend to visit
Review №5
2019-08-12The David Davis mansion is honestly the most movie haunted house place I’ve ever seen that was actually a real house someone lived in. This thing is surreal to see and honestly in the whole time I was there(for a car show at the time) I never got over how strange the place looks; it’s so tall and yet tiny, the proportions just seem wrong and somehow it’s a real historic mansion David Davis stayed at, definitely worth stopping by, especially if they’re having an event on the outside of the mansion. You’ll never get over the feeling your on a set for a ghost movie either😂
Review №6
2022-01-11Lovely little historical site. Interesting family history with connection to Lincoln. Special events are always fun, too. Christmas time is special and the car shows are fun.
Review №7
2022-02-04What a fantastic place for field trips for elementary children. The location is so well preserved and the folks working and volunteering there are very passionate about the mansion!! LOTS of events hosted there in the summer, too!
Review №8
2022-01-30Jake was our tour guide and did an amazing job explaining the home life of Mr. and Mrs. Davis and their family. Gorgeous historical home. Must see.
Review №9
2019-12-29Good history about the family. Well maintained. Great Christmas decoration. It was a fun tour.
Review №10
2018-05-14Overall a great tour, if you enjoy historic homes this is one to see.