Guided Tour of Vachel Lindsay Home

In the heart of our country stands the home of Vachel Lindsay - poet, illustrator, and pioneering film critic. From this lifelong base, Lindsay travelled America, thrilling early twentieth-century audiences with his powerful spoken-word performances. In his lifetime, Lindsay rose to international fame. Today, his words continue to inspire people of all ages.

We invite you to see and experience the Vachel Lindsay Home.

Reservations are strongly recommended due to limited tour capacity and can be made on this page. If you need assistance making your reservation online, please email dnr.historicspringfield@illinois.gov. Please note, online reservations via Eventbrite close 24 hours in advance of each tour. If a same-day tour is needed, please email us at DNR.historicspringfield@illinois.gov to inquire about same-day tour availability.

There is no charge for the tour, but donations to support the historic site are appreciated. You can make a donation online at http://historicspringfield.dnr.illinois.gov

Please report to the front door of the house at 603 S. Fifth Street 5-10 minutes before your reserved tour time to check in and begin your tour.

Current tour policies:

1. No more than ten guests will be permitted on each tour. This includes adults, children and infants. Please be sure to reserve a ticket for all members of your party. To request a tour for a larger group, please contact us at DNR.historicspringfield@illinois.gov.

2. All guests will be required to register, either by making an advance reservation or by registering at the door as they arrive. Walk-up guests will only be permitted if the tour is not already at capacity, and walk-up guests must register before entering the house.

3. If you are feeling ill or experiencing any COVID-like symptoms, please stay home and reschedule your tour when you are well.

4. The Vachel Lindsay Home has several small interior spaces. Face coverings are optional for guests touring the Vachel Lindsay Home.

5. Guests will not be permitted to touch any furniture, artwork or other artifacts in the house, regardless of whether they are wearing gloves/using sanitizer.

6. The Vachel Lindsay Home is two stories and requires the use of stairs to access all entrances and exits. Please keep this in mind when making your reservations.

7 . Pets are not allowed inside the Vachel Lindsay Home. Service animals are welcome. Please note we do not have a pet boarding facility on-site and we do not allow pets to be left outside unattended. Questions about this policy should be directed to our site superintendent at DNR.historicspringfield@illinois.gov.

Parking

Metered street parking is available along Fifth Street in front of the house. Please note the City of Springfield does not currently require you to pay the parking meters; however “no parking,” “2-hour limit” and similar signs will be enforced.

Vachel Lindsay Home guests are also welcome to use the free parking lot for the Dana-Thomas House located on the corner of Fourth Street and Lawrence Avenue. It is approximately three blocks from the Lindsay Home.

Photography Policy

Photography, video and other recording are permitted throughout the site, both indoors and out, with the exception of drone photography.

Additional Information

More information about the site, including educational resources for teachers, are available at http://historicspringfield.dnr.illinois.gov

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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StateHistoricSitesOfSpringfieldIl

Instagram: @statehistoricsitesspringfield

We look forward to seeing you soon!