 The dancing will be in full swing from 7 to 10 p.m. Dec. 31 in the
Old State Capitol's Hall of Representatives. The Period Ball is free
and open to the public, and is part of the First Night Springfield
celebration. Other events in downtown Springfield that evening
require First Night admission; for more information on the First
Night schedule and admission prices, visit
www.springfieldartsco.org. The parking garage underneath the Old
State Capitol will be open that evening, and parking rates will be
$3 per car.Steve Staley and the New Century Orchestra will play
dance music of the mid-19th century, and dancing will be coordinated
by the Springfield International Folk Dancers. The New Century
Orchestra includes Dustin Suits on the clarinet; Tom Philbrick,
tuba; Bill Furry, guitar; and Steve Staley, fiddle. Visitors are
invited to tour the candlelit building that evening and enjoy the
historic holiday atmosphere.
The First Night Period Ball is reminiscent of the formal dances
and celebrations held at the building when it served as the seat of
Illinois government from 1839 to 1876. Newspaper accounts of the day
described such events:
May 1, 1850: "Monsieur De La Barthe" holds an "exhibition ball"
beginning at 8 p.m. in the Senate chamber. Gentlemen's tickets
available at Chatterton's, Birchall & Owens Drug Store, and the
American House. This appears to be a demonstration designed to
induce people to sign up for dancing classes to be given by La
Barthe. Gentlemen's classes begin on Monday evening, May 6, and
ladies on Wednesday, May 8. Prospective pupils are invited to sign
up at La Barthe's residence on the corner of Madison and Fifth. --
Illinois State Register, April 16, 1850
November 1850: Masonic Lodge holds an evening ball at the
Statehouse to raise funds for building a Masonic hall in Springfield
"next summer." Tickets available from Capt. J.R. Diller at firm of
Ash and Diller. Music provided by Prof. Kennedy leading the Union
Brass Band of St. Louis. Mr. McMullen ("Mac") of the City Hotel
served "refreshments" at midnight. Groups invited from nearby
communities -- "The company was large, at least two hundred and
fifty, embracing a number of ladies and gentlemen from our
neighboring towns." -- Illinois State Register, Nov. 13, 1850, and
Illinois State Journal, Nov. 11, 13 and 19, 1850
[to top of second column]
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 June 24, 1852: Masonic Lodge holds a "citizens ball" in Rep. Hall
on the evening of St. John's day. Grierson's Band plays. Tickets on
sale at Corneau & Diller's Drug Store, Ives & Curran's, and C.W.
Chatterton's Jewelry Store. Here's the Register's account of the
festivities:
"St. John's day was
celebrated yesterday in this city in most superb style. A dinner was
given by the fraternity at the National Hotel, and the host proved
that he knows how to do the elegant in the science of gastronomy.
"A procession was
formed at the Masonic saloon and marched to the state house,
preceded by the Jacksonville brass band. A large number of
'brother's from abroad' were present and joined in the exercise. At
the state house appropriate prayers were offered and impressive
pieces of music performed. Capt. Isaac R. Diller delivered a very
interesting and eloquent address, descriptive of the usefulness to
the order and the vast benefits it has conferred on mankind. A
splendid ball in the evening, at the state house concluded the
exercises of the day, which was one of the most joyous ever
witnessed in our town." -- Illinois State Register, June 26, 1852
Jan. 9, 1843: The "citizens of Springfield and visitors of said
city" granted use of Rep. Hall on this evening to celebrate the
anniversary of the Battle of New Orleans. -- Illinois State
Register, Jan. 13, 1843
The Old State Capitol State Historic Site, administered by the
Illinois Historic
Preservation Agency, is open to the public Tuesday through
Saturday.
[Text from
Illinois Historic Preservation Agency news release received from
the
Illinois Office of
Communication and Information]
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