Building a Better World: Illinois Women's History Walk

Thank you for your interest in this outdoor walking tour of the grounds and neighborhood surrounding the Dana-Thomas House. If you would like to tour the inside of the house, please make a separate reservation at

Follow the path of suffragists as we reflect on the stories of Illinois women who paved the way for a better future. The women featured lived across several generations and came from different corners of the state, but all shared the sentiment expressed by Illinois’ first female State Senator, Florence Fifer Bohrer: “It is possible to build a better world.” This one hour, 1.5 mile walking tour begins in the courtyard of the Dana-Thomas House, built as a platform from which to pursue equal rights; and concludes at the Illinois State Capitol, where Illinois became the first state east of the Mississippi to secure presidential suffrage for women. Please note, this tour only visits the exterior of sites - no interior spaces are included. Sites featured include the Dana-Thomas House, Vachel Lindsay Home, Illinois Governor's Mansion, Illinois State Supreme Court, and east lawn of the Illinois State Capitol. Stories in between the stops will feature additional women who lived in other parts of Illinois. Guests will be encouraged to share stories of women they know, past or present, who positively influenced their own lives.

Reservations are strongly encouraged and can be made online at historicspringfield.dnr.illinois.gov. Call 217-524-3971 to request additional days and times. Group inquires are welcome.

Tours will be guided by history education interpreters from the IDNR Office of Land Management. Reservations, which will be required, can be made through this page. The capacity of all experiences will be limited and follow health and safety guidelines outlined by the Illinois Department of Public Health. All tours are free, and donations in support of local historic sites will be welcomed.

Participant Agreement

By making a reservation and attending this tour, you agree to the following:

PLEASE NOTE: PARENT OR LEGAL GUARDIAN SIGNATURE IS REQUIRED IF PARTICIPANT IS UNDER 18 YEARS OF AGE

IN ORDER TO BE ALLOWED TO PARTICIPATE AS A PARTICIPANT IN THE ABOVE-REFERENCED EVENT/ACTIVITY SPONSORED OR ARRANGED BY THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES (IDNR), THE PARTICIPANT HEREBY UNDERSTANDS AND AGREES TO RELEASE, DEFEND, HOLD HARMLESS AND INDEMNIFY THE STATE OF ILLINOIS AND THE IDNR, ITS OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS, OTHER INVITEES AND LICENSEES FROM ANY AND ALL COSTS, EXPENSES, LOSSES, CLAIMS, DAMAGES, LIABILITIES, SETTLEMENTS, INVESTIGATIONS BY ANY LOCAL, STATE OR FEDERAL REGULATORY AGENCY, INQUIRIES, JUDGMENTS, FINDINGS, COSTS AND EXPENSES AND REASONABLE ATTORNEYS’ FEES (INCLUDING THE REASONABLE VALUE OF TIME SPENT BY THE ILLINOIS ATTORNEY GENERAL’S OFFICE) AND THE COSTS AND EXPENSES AND REASONABLE ATTORNEYS’ FEES OF OTHER COUNSEL REQUIRED TO DEFEND THE STATE OF ILLINOIS AND/OR THE IDNR RELATED TO OR ARISING FROM THE PARTICIPANT’S PARTICIPATION IN THE ABOVE- REFERENCED EVENT/ACTIVITY AND SPECIFCALLY: (1) ANY BREACH OF THIS AGREEMENT; (2) ANY NEGLIGENT, INTENTIONAL OR WRONGFUL ACT OR OMISSION OF THE PARTICIPANT: (3) THE PARTICIPANT’S PERFORMANCE OR ATTEMPTED PERFORMANCE OF ANY RIGHT, DUTY OR OBLIGATION UNDER THIS AGREEMENT AND/OR (4) A COVID- 19 ILLNESS AND/OR ANY OTHER ILLNESS(ES) CAUSED BY, OR DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY RELATED TO, THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC. THE FOREGOING OBLIGATION TO INDEMNIFY SHALL SURVIVE THE TERMINATION OR EXPIRATION OF THE IDNR EVENT/ACTIVITY.

The Participant, while participating in the above-referenced IDNR event/activity, understands and agrees to:

(a) Comply with all Executive Orders the Office of Illinois Governor has issued pertaining to the COVID-19 pandemic;

(b) Comply with all guidelines, regulations and rules the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Illinois Department of Public Health have issued, pertaining to the COVID-19 pandemic;

(c) Purchase, have and wear at all times a cloth face covering while on IDNR property or on any other property and

(d) Practice social distancing at all times while on IDNR property or on any another property.

The Participant understands and agrees that there are any number of risks associated with participating in the above-referenced IDNR event/activity.

The Participant understands that the abopve-referenced event/activity may take place on IDNR property and/or property belonging to others.

The Participant represents that he/she is in good health and suffers no physical impairment that will or could prevent successfully participating in the above- referenced IDNR event/activity.

The Participant hereby grants and conveys to IDNR all rights, title and interest in any and all photographs, images, videos or audio recordings of his/her likeness or voice in connection with participating in the above-referenced IDNR event/activity.

The Participant understands and agrees that he/she is responsible for obtaining private insurance coverage in the event of personal injury, illness or damage to any property or person while, or because of, participating in the above-referenced IDNR event/activity.

The Participant understands and agrees that this Agreement is intended to be as broad and inclusive as permitted by the laws of the State of Illinois and furthermore understands and agrees that if any portion of this Agreement is deemed invalid, the remaining portions shall continue in full legal force and effect.

***Signature page follows***

UNDERSTOOD AND AGREED AS TO THE ABOVE:

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Host or Publisher Illinois Department of Natural Resources State Historic Sites Springfield