Dana-Thomas House State Historic Site

🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆 Illinois History — Frank Lloyd Wright’s best-preserved Prairie-style home (1902-1904) — 35 rooms, 12,000 square feet with 250 art glass doors and windows! Commissioned by socialite Susan Lawrence Dana for $60,000 (equivalent to $2M today). Springfield, IL.

Visitor Information

About Dana-Thomas House

Dana-Thomas House State Historic Site in Springfield is one of the best-preserved and most complete examples of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Prairie Style architecture. Built in 1902-1904 for socialite Susan Lawrence Dana, the house contains 250 art glass doors, windows, and light panels — the largest collection of Wright-designed art glass still in its original setting. The house is considered one of Wright’s masterpieces.

Things to Do

Taking the guided tour of the magnificently preserved interior (required — no self-guided access), admiring the 250 original art glass pieces, studying Wright’s innovative Prairie Style architecture, and visiting the gift shop. Free admission — one of Illinois’ finest cultural attractions.

About Dana-Thomas House

Dana-Thomas House State Historic Site in Springfield is one of the best-preserved and most complete Frank Lloyd Wright Prairie-style homes in the world. Built in 1902-1904 for socialite Susan Lawrence Dana, the 12,000-square-foot house features 250 art glass doors, windows, and light panels — the largest collection of Wright-designed art glass in original location. Wright considered it one of his finest early works.

Things to Do

Guided tours of the Prairie-style masterpiece, viewing the 250 original art glass panels, studying Wright’s innovative open floor plan design, and photographing one of the finest examples of American architecture. Free admission.

Insider Tips

Frank Lloyd Wright masterpiece: The Dana-Thomas House (1902) is the best-preserved and most complete early Prairie-style home by Frank Lloyd Wright. Pro tip: The house contains over 100 pieces of original Wright-designed furniture and 250 art glass windows and light fixtures — more original Wright elements than any other home. Free tours: Guided tours are free — one of the best cultural bargains in Illinois.

Best Time to Visit

Year-round: Indoor tour — climate-controlled. Morning: Art glass windows glow most beautifully in morning light. Weekdays: Smaller tour groups for a more intimate experience. Spring: Combine with Springfield’s Lincoln sites.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Prairie Style architecture?

Prairie Style (developed by Frank Lloyd Wright around 1900) features horizontal lines, open floor plans, built-in furniture, and integration with the landscape. Wright believed buildings should complement the flat Midwest prairie — low rooflines, overhanging eaves, and ribbons of art glass windows. The Dana-Thomas House is considered one of the finest examples.

Wildlife & Nature

The Dana-Thomas House in Springfield — one of Frank Lloyd Wright’s best-preserved and most elaborate early Prairie-style homes (1902-1904) — contains 100 pieces of original Wright-designed furniture, 250 art glass doors and windows, and the largest collection of original Wright furnishings in any single site. Wright’s Prairie style was inspired by the Midwest landscape — the long, horizontal lines and earthy colors mimic the vast Illinois prairie. Springfield’s urban parks and the surrounding Sangamon County landscape support diverse bird life — northern cardinals (the Illinois state bird since 1929), blue jays, and downy woodpeckers are year-round residents. Eastern bluebirds nest in boxes along park trails. Spring migration brings warblers through the Illinois River valley.

Nearby Attractions

Lincoln Home National Historic Site is minutes away. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum offers immersive Lincoln exhibits. Lincoln’s Tomb at Oak Ridge Cemetery is a National Historic Landmark. Old State Capitol — where Lincoln delivered his “House Divided” speech. Illinois State Capitol features one of the nation’s tallest domes. Route 66 passes through Springfield. Sangamon County Fair celebrates agricultural heritage. Henson Robinson Zoo provides family recreation.