David Davis Mansion State Historic Site

David Davis Mansion State Historic Site

David Davis Mansion State Historic Site
4.5
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles186 reviews
Excellent
127
Very good
53
Average
6
Poor
0
Terrible
0

Fjorz
268 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2019 • Family
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.
Written February 23, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Rebecca B
Marion, IL40 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2013 • Couples
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.
Written July 8, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

John G
Greeley, CO258 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2018 • Friends
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.
Written January 7, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Denise S
Rio Grande, OH203 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2018 • Business
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.
Written July 24, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

motraveler90
Chesterfield, MO114 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2018 • Couples
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.
Written July 22, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Noni314
Saint Louis, MO508 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2016 • Couples
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.
Written December 16, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Peteygirl1
Machesney Park, IL21 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2016 • Family
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
Written April 12, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

SweetViolets23
Bloomington, IL34 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2013 • Family
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!
Written June 8, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

V_B_Z
Plainfield, IL379 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2014 • Solo
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.
Written March 31, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

turisti2
Chicago, Illinois11 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2013 • Couples
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.
Written April 7, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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David Davis Mansion State Historic Site - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

Frequently Asked Questions about David Davis Mansion State Historic Site

David Davis Mansion State Historic Site is open:
  • Wed - Sat 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM