Irish holiday, but not for Irish servants

David Davis Mansion marks St. Patrick's Day by spotlighting servants working in a Victorian mansion

[March 05, 2014]  BLOOMINGTON — It will be a slice of "Downton Abbey" in central Illinois as 1870s Irish servants prepare the David Davis Mansion State Historic Site for St. Patrick's Day on March 15.

"Upstairs/Downstairs at Bloomington's Downton Abbey" will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. This free, family-friendly event offers a hands-on experience for children and adults.

Costumed storytellers will portray Irish servants who worked for the David Davis family at their mansion. Visitors may talk with the servants as they rush to complete their chores on a typically busy St. Patrick's Day. Then they can hear what storytellers portraying the Davis family have to say about the servants' efforts.

Bridget, the cook, occupies a special position in the household because she's an expert with the Magee range. She will give the stove a workout as she describes how she prepares food and determines how many pieces of coal it takes to bake a cake. Guests are advised to use caution, or they may wind up helping with the chores before their visit is over!

Visitors will also have a chance to sample authentic Irish recipes at the Visitor Center, where tours begin.

The David Davis Mansion State Historic Site, 1000 Monroe in Bloomington, was built in 1872 for U.S. Supreme Court Justice David Davis and his wife, Sarah. The site is administered by the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency and is open Wednesday through Sunday for free public tours.

For more information, call 309-828-1084 or visit www.daviddavismansion.org.

[Text from file received from the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency]