Historic cars to gather at historic home
David Davis Mansion hosts annual Antique Car Exhibition on Aug. 4

 

[July 27, 2018] 

BLOOMINGTON

Beautiful, historic cars in a beautiful, historic setting – that’s the promise of 22nd Annual Antique Car Exhibition on Sat., Aug. 4 at the David Davis Mansion State Historic Site in Bloomington.

More than 75 cars from the 1900s through the 1980s will be displayed on the mansion grounds from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Visitors can stroll through the amazing collection of vintage vehicles on display. They can view the cars up close, talk with the owners, and meet fellow automobile enthusiasts.

All vintage automobiles are invited to participate in a “Parade of Progress” around the mansion drive at approximately 2 p.m.

A special treat this year will be a concert by the 33rd Illinois Volunteer Regiment Band. It will be an anniversary of sorts, as the first concert by the band was at the David Davis Mansion in the summer of 1995. The band will perform from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The band’s mission is to further the study and preservation of period instruments, Civil War bands, and the musical repertoire of 19th century military brass bands.

Bookending the 33rd will be the Illinois Country Music Association. They will have performers providing entertainment for guests on the lawn. Redbird Catering will also have picnic foods and beverages for sale.

Free, self-guided tours of the mansion will be offered, and mansion guides will be on hand to answer questions. The Master Gardeners will be on hand to answer questions about Sarah’s Garden.

The event is co-sponsored by the McLean County Antique Automobile Club and the David Davis Mansion Foundation. A donation of $5 per person is suggested.

The David Davis Mansion State Historic Site (1000 Monroe Drive, Bloomington) is administered by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. It was built in 1872 by David Davis, a U.S. Supreme Court justice and political ally of Abraham Lincoln.

It is open Wednesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for public tours.

The David Davis Mansion Foundation is a not-for-profit organization supporting education, preservation and acquisition programs for the David Davis Mansion.

The McLean County Antique Automobile Club’s members are committed to the preservation of antique automobiles, and enjoy the camaraderie that goes along with these preservation efforts.

[Jeff Saulsbery, Site Manager
David Davis Mansion SHS]