Touring the Victorian Mansion House
Step back into the 19th century and become a part of the gracious, Victorian Era with a visit and tour of the Mansion House at the C.H. Moore Homestead.
The gated entry to the Homestead grounds leads visitors past the beautiful, black iron gate and up a short drive to the Mansion House and Museum entrance which is located the west side of the building, directly across from the original carriage barn.
Designed in the Second Empire style of architecture, the Mansion House is covered in tan, horizontal, clapboard cladding. Arched-top frames on all the doors and windows match the curve of the dormers and present a unity of style to the Victorian manor.
Inside, the Mansion House offers visitors a glimpse of Victorian splendor in a lived-in setting filled with old-fashioned, hometown charm. Furnishings and decorations are authentic to the Victorian period, several original to the Moore family. Actual artifacts – writing instruments, letters, books, keepsakes – are regularly on view. They, as well as rare or unique furniture such as Moore’s unique circular bookcases, Wooten-style desk, or his Steinway square grand piano, help to tell the stories of Moore, the Mansion House, and the Homestead.
They’re all part of the Mansion House tour: the artifacts, the rarities, and the stories, all helping to tell the story of a life and of a time in the Victorian era at its most elegant.
Tours of the C. H. Moore Mansion House are scheduled to restart on Saturday, May 1st and continue through December 31st, 2021. No advance reservations are necessary. Your tour begins upon your arrival.
Mansion House Interior Rooms and Features
THE PARLORS
The formal Front Parlor
The Back Parlor, also known as the Morning Room
The Music Room, displaying a full-size harp and Steinway square grand piano
THE BEDROOMS
The Master Bedroom, featuring C.H. Moore’s bed and an oil portrait of his first wife, Elizabeth Richmond Moore
The Child’s Room, with displays of toys of the era
The Lady’s Bedroom, refined, comfortable, and feminine in feeling and flavor
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The unique, two-story C. H. Moore Library
The Dining Room and restored 1880’s Kitchen
HOURS of OPERATION*
Tuesday - Saturday: 10 am - 5 pm | Sunday: 1 pm - 5 pm
PAID ADMISSION*
Adults: $10 | 6 - 18: $5
FREE ADMISSION*
Ages 6 and Younger | Members
The Story of the Mansion House
Construction on this lovely Victorian mansion house was initiated in the early 1870’s by John Bishop – a prosperous grain and lumber dealer in Clinton – in part to fulfill the dream and wishes of his wife Minerva.
Soon after Minerva Bishop herself passed away in 1880, Mr. Bishop sold his house and the land to Minerva’s brother, Clifton H. Moore, then a prominent attorney and wealthy land speculator.
Moore’s 1880’s addition of a new west wing to his home included a two-story library to house his large and growing collection of books and papers. His personal library at the Homestead would eventually exceed 6,000 volumes, and be considered the de facto largest library in all of downstate Illinois at the time of his death in 1901.
After Moore’s passing, the house fell to disrepair for several decades. When the DeWitt County Museum Association was granted permission by the Moore Trust Estate to relocate the DeWitt County Museum to the historic house, restoration and renovation began. Once most projects were completed, the Mansion was officially opened for tours.
After several years of successful operation, the C.H. Moore Homestead DeWitt County Museum was in a position to take charge of its own destiny when the heirs of the C. H. Moore Estate graciously donated the property to us.
The annual Apple ‘n Pork Festival, held annually the last full weekend in September, was first held in 1967 to help raise funds to restore, maintain, and operate the mansion. Proceeds from each festival continue to provide the funds necessary to continue the DeWitt County Museum Association’s mission to preserve and promote the history and heritage of DeWitt County, maintain the house, buildings, covered bridge and grounds, and keep the museum open to the public for tours, special events, and community gatherings and celebrations.
The Museum Gift Shop is also located on the main floor of the Mansion House.
And the DeWitt County Museum is located on the Mansion’s Lower Level.
C.H. Moore Homestead
DeWitt County Museum
219 E Woodlawn St
Clinton, Illinois 61727
+1-217-935-6066
OPEN*
April 1 - December 31*
HOURS of OPERATION*
Tuesday - Saturday: 10 am - 5 pm
Sunday: 1 pm - 5 pm
ADMISSION*
Adults: $10
Ages 6 - 18: $5
Ages 5 & Under: Free
Members: Free
©2024 The CH Moore Homestead
& DeWitt County Museum
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