Missing ‘Downton Abbey’? Visit the David Davis Mansion on March 16
Historic David Davis Mansion highlights the lives of servants

 

[March 12, 2019] 

LINCOLN 

Anyone who misses the behind-the-scenes intrigue of “Downton Abbey” will want to visit the David Davis Mansion State Historic Site in Bloomington on Saturday, March 16 for a look at the lives of household servants and their employers.

On the day before St. Patrick’s Day, costumed storytellers will portray Irish servants who worked for the Davis family at their Victorian mansion. Visitors can talk with the servants rushing to complete their chores, and then hear what the Davis family members have to say about the staff.

The free, family-friendly “Upstairs/ Downstairs at Bloomington’s Downton Abbey” event runs from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on March 16.

Visitors will have the opportunity to meet characters like Bridget the cook, who 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.

The David Davis Mansion was built in 1872 for U.S. Supreme Court Justice David Davis and his wife, Sarah. Davis, who also served in the U.S. Senate, was a friend and political ally to Abraham Lincoln.

The mansion, open Wednesday through Saturday for free public tours, is located at 1000 Monroe Drive in Bloomington. For more information, call [phone] or visit www.daviddavis mansion.org.

The site is operated by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

[ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES]