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The Dana Thomas House; How a Logan County Name Became a Legacy
The Elkhart Historical Society is delighted to announce the return of the Executive Director of the Dana-Thomas House Foundation, Lee-Ann Burgener. Welcome her to the podium on Friday August 22, 2025, with a presentation on “The Dana Thomas House; How a Logan County Name Became a Legacy”. A captivating speaker, Burgener researches her subjects with an investigative style that regularly uncovers little known facts along with documented finds. What follows is an appetizer of the evening’s lecture, and a fascinating part of what ties Logan County to this Frank Lloyd Wright architectural gem.
The Dana-Thomas House is known throughout the country as a Frank Lloyd Wright masterpiece. It is the best preserved and most complete of his early Prairie style homes. The project was not his normal build; it was a complete restructuring of an existing home, with only the parlor remaining. The result was a 12,000 square foot house with 16 levels containing more than 100 original pieces of furniture and 450 art glass windows, doors and light fixtures designed by Wright (including two double pedestal lamps, one of which sold in May of 2025 at an auction in New York for $7.5 million!).
Join us to learn the rest of the intriguing details about the house, which was commissioned by Susan Lawrence Dana, the widow of Edwin Dana, from Lincoln, Illinois, and how a Logan County name became a legacy.
The cost per person is $45, which includes the lecture and dinner featuring a choice of entrees Smothered Chicken Breast or Meatloaf. For menu details go to the website www.elkharthistoricalsociety.
Reservations are required as space is limited and can easily be made by calling 217-947-2238. The deadline for reservations is August 11, 2025. Please leave a message and you will be called back to confirm your reservation. Once confirmed, checks should be mailed within 5 business days to The Elkhart Historical Society at P.O. Box 255, Elkhart, IL, 63634, or dropped off at the Country Bumpkin Shop at 103 Gov. Oglesby St., Elkhart, IL Wed-Sun 10 a.m-3 p.m.
The dinner lecture is Friday August 22, 2025, Doors open at 5:00 p.m., and dinner is served promptly at 5:30 p.m. At the Elkhart Christian Church’s Fellowship Community Center at 206 South Gillett St., Elkhart, Illinois, 62634.
