July 19, 2023 – The Gov. Richard J. Oglesby Mansion will host a 199th birthday celebration in honor of the governor himself on Sunday, July 23.
From 1-4 p.m., the mansion’s board will welcome historians of all ages to celebrate the history behind the former US senator, Civil War Union General and three-time Illinois governor. Planned festivities include kid-friendly lawn games, a cake walk, rounds of bingo and a scavenger hunt about items throughout the museum. All attendees will receive a free raffle ticket, and prizes for children and adults alike will be drawn during the event.
“We are always happy to see generations of families stop in and enjoy this beautiful treasure located in the historic district,” said Oglesby Mansion Board President Carol Pelz in a press release.
Born July 25, 1824, Oglesby was a close friend and confidant to Abraham Lincoln, having nominated him for the presidency from Decatur and accompanied his body back to Illinois following his assassination. He contracted a Chicago architect to build his former mansion, located at what’s now 421 W. William St., in the late 1860s. Oglesby and his family sold the house in 1882, and it was purchased by another local family who lived in it until the early 1970s. In 1972, the mansion was purchased by the Macon County Conservation District, and thanks to 1976 restoration efforts, the mansion has been restored to its original state.
A $2 donation per person is requested for celebration attendees. Besides July 23’s celebration, the mansion is open the last Sunday of each month through November for guided tours.
Click HERE for more information about the mansion and Gov. Oglesby.
