With everything from Abraham Lincoln sights to Chicago's world-renowned architecture, Illinois is one of the Midwest's most intriguing destinations when it comes to history and culture.
The central part of the state is no exception, with a wealth of off-site venues for groups seeking unique places to convene. From Springfield to Decatur and Peoria to Bloomington, groups are sure to find a venue to suit their tastes.
Following are 10 great choices for discovering a bit of Illinois history and culture.
1. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum
www.alplm.org
Arguably one of the most popular attractions in Illinois, the 215,000-square-foot Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum is located in downtown Springfield and serves as a great place for private group gatherings.
"The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum offers several one-of-a-kind, prestigious and versatile spaces that can make the difference between an ordinary and an extraordinary event," says Gina Gemberling, director of sales for the Springfield CVB.
Within the museum, there is a 4,500-square-foot rotunda that can fit 300 people for dinner and 500 for a reception. The museum also houses the 250-seat Exelon Union Theater and a reception area suitable for up to 100 delegates.
Over at the library, groups can meet in the Lincoln Atrium, gallery, multipurpose room, conference room and two classrooms.
2. Edwards Place Historic Home
www.springfieldart.org
Edwards Place Historic Home in Springfield is the oldest home in the Illinois capital on its original foundation. The house was home to Benjamin Edwards, a prominent lawyer, and his wife Helen, from 1843 to 1909. During that time, they held parties for politicians such as Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas.
Today, the home is a popular site for private dinners and receptions.
"Imagine hosting an event where both Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas attended lavish parties during the 1850s," says Gemberling of the Springfield CVB. "There aren't many venues that can offer such a unique opportunity."
The home's interior offers space for up to 150 people, and its exterior can accommodate up to 300 delegates.
3. The Ronald Reagan Museum at Eureka College
www.eureka.edu/campus/museum.htm
Groups interested in political history can drive just 18 miles east of Peoria to Eureka and take a glimpse inside The Ronald Reagan Museum at Eureka College.
"Ronald Reagan attended Eureka College, and the museum showcases more than 2,000 items from his life," says Christi Ulrich, of the Donald B. Cerf College Center at Eureka College.
According to Ulrich, the museum is a popular place for regional groups to meet.
"We have a banquet hall right off the museum, so a lot of groups will come here for dinner and then go on a tour of the museum," she says. "People really like seeing where Reagan came from. The artifacts really follow the timeline of his life."
The nearby banquet hall can accommodate up to 300 delegates for group gatherings.
4. Kickapoo Creek Winery
www.kickapoocreekwinery.com
Located just eight miles outside downtown Peoria is Kickapoo Creek Winery, a unique spot in Central Illinois.
"There really isn't any place else like this in our area," says Rory Conner, executive director of Kickapoo Creek Winery. "We have a lot of space and the area is truly beautiful."
The 250-acre property includes 13 acres of planted grapes, a tasting room, gallery, banquet hall, outdoor patio, walking trails and two lakes. When wine tasting, make sure to try the award-winning reds.
"When you come out here, you are going to experience something different," Conner says. "The atmosphere is very relaxing. Groups love coming out here to hold a meeting and then go up to the tasting room or walk around on the trails."
The winery's banquet hall has full audiovisual capabilities and can house up to 300 delegates. The outdoor pavilion can hold up to 150 people. Kickapoo also offers on-site catering and is open year-round.
5. David Davis Mansion
www.daviddavismansion.org
Abraham Lincoln buffs can meet at the David Davis Mansion. Located on the east side of downtown Bloomington, the mansion was completed in 1872 and was the home for Lincoln's mentor and campaign manager, David Davis, and his wife, Sarah.
"Beautiful gardens surround the home and when you walk in, you really feel like you are stepping back in time," says Crystal Howard, executive director of the Bloomington-Normal Area CVB. "The atmosphere is very elegant. It really represents the wealth of Lincoln's time."
The mansion is set on about four acres of wooded land with a stable, barn, garden and grand circular drive. It has 36 rooms, many of which are open for group events.
"This is really the perfect place for an off-site reception," Howard says. "It allows guests to experience a little history of the area and the service is fantastic."
The mansion's first floor can be configured for a 200-person reception, and the outside can easily be tented for up to 500 delegates.
6. The Manor at Ewing
www.ewingmanor.illinoisstate.edu
Possibly one of the most striking buildings in all of Central Illinois, The Manor at Ewing is an incredibly popular place for Bloomington-bound groups to meet.
Completed in 1929, the manor is made of limestone in a Channel-Norman architecture style, giving it the look of a castle from medieval England rather than a home in 20th century America. It was built for Lillian Hazle Buck and her husband Davis Ewing, who were members of high society in addition to active philanthropists. The estate was eventually given to Illinois State University, and in 2000 a theater was built, where each summer the Illinois Shakespeare Festival takes place.
"Meeting planners really like Ewing Manor because there are so many places to have events," says Howard of the Bloomington-Normal Area CVB. "You can host a reception in the manor, have an event in the theater or have an outdoor picnic on the grounds. It is a really nice place to meet and is very unique."
7. Hardy's Reindeer Ranch
www.reindeerranch.com
For a real departure from the meeting room, groups can head to Hardy's Reindeer Ranch in Rantoul, just 18 miles north of Champaign.
"People love going to the ranch—it is a very popular place to go in Champaign County," says Cory L. Hatfield, sales director for the Champaign County CVB. "You can view and feed Alaskan reindeer, play with go-karts and have events in its banquet hall."
The ranch opened in 1995 as a Christmas tree farm with a few reindeer, but has grown into a full-blown attraction and meeting space hot spot. It sits on 80 acres, features more than 15 reindeer and entertains groups year-round in its banquet hall.
The spot is especially popular for Western-themed events, which can feature chuckwagon meals and a 100-year-old bar. Groups of up to 150 delegates can fit in the banquet hall.
"Many groups that travel from larger cities never get the chance to be on a farm, walk through cornfields and see an Alaskan reindeer," Hatfield says. "This is a really fun place to meet, and you can even roast hot dogs and cook s'mores on a fire pit if you want to."
8. Japan House
www.japanhouse.art.uiuc.edu/en
Those interested in an enriching cultural experience can head over to Japan House, located on the edge of University of Illinois' campus. The structure was built in Japanese style and is surrounded by Japanese gardens.
"We are here to teach traditional Japanese arts," says Cynthia Voelkl, assistant director of Japan House. "We have public tea ceremonies on Thursdays and offer space for special events."
Group gathering space, located in the building's main room, accommodates up to 50 people and has full audiovisual capabilities.
"Groups like to come here to have a meeting and then participate in a Japanese tea ceremony," Voelkl says. "The tea ceremony is one of the oldest Japanese arts. It involves extreme ritualization for serving and enjoying tea. The ceremony usually lasts from 45 minutes to one hour. Every movement is choreographed."
According to Voelkl, Japan House offers a peaceful atmosphere.
"It is a very unique facility," she says. "One of the goals of Japan House, apart from teaching Japanese Art, is to help people find a moment of serenity—which is something we all are looking for."
9. Governor Richard J. Oglesby Mansion
www.oglesbymansion.org
Just a few blocks west of Decatur's Central Park is the historic Governor Richard J. Oglesby Mansion. The site holds a special place in the hearts of many local residents, including Jeff Hendricks, executive director of the Decatur CVB.
"The mansion is so beautiful that my daughter got married there," he says. "The people of Decatur are very proud of the Oglesby Mansion. It is a Victorian mansion that once housed Richard J. Oglesby, who was a three time Illinois governor, a U.S. Senator and a Civil War veteran. The building has been beautifully restored and a lot of the furniture is actually original. It is the perfect place for special events."
Off-site receptions are most common at the mansion. The first floor is open for events every day except Sunday. About 46 people can fit in the space for a sit-down dinner and about 100 can comfortably mingle for a reception.
10. James Milikin Homestead
www.old.millikin.edu/millikinhomestead
Small groups can head over to the James Milikin Homestead, another beautifully restored historic site in Decatur.
"The Milikin Homestead serves as a really nice break from a conference room or convention floor," says Hendricks of the Decatur CVB. "A lot of groups like to go over there to have a lunch. Groups love it because servers dress in period costumes."
The homestead was built in 1876 for James and Anna Milikin, founders of Milikin University. The couple lived in the home for 30 years before it was awarded a spot on the National Register of Historic Places. Perhaps most noteworthy is the building's winding wood staircase and stained-glass windows. Several original pieces of furniture lay intact while others are recreations of early pieces.
Groups of up to 75 people can enjoy the six-acre property. The lawn and inside are available for rental, accommodating up to 40 people for a sit-down dinner. MFMA
Katie Morell is a Chicago-based writer and editor.
