Program info & archives
Get Flash to see this video.
Growing up in Springfield I attended art classes and community events at this beautiful home. But it wasn’t until I produced this story that I really learned the history of this important place in my hometown. In the summer of 2006, as I was coming up with story ideas for the new season, I got a call from a volunteer at Edwards Place in Springfield. I remembered the home and wondered how much it had changed since I was a child. Soon afterward I was in Springfield to take my infant son to a doctor’s appointment so I decided to stop by. I met with curator Amanda Lampert Gleason and after a quick tour we discussed some ideas of how to do the story. She mentioned their upcoming “ghost tour” when re-enactors bring the Edwards family to life. I thought it would be fun to include them in our production and to help viewers visualize what life must have been like in the home in the 1860s. Luckily the actors were happy to help! They all did a great job and it was fun getting a chance to “meet” the Edwards Family.
As we were shooting the story, it was easy to imagine the tremendous parties that had taken place there. In my story I wanted to convey the beauty and elegance of the place, and the shooting and lighting work of Tim Hartin and Julius Bolton did this impressively. Curator Amanda Lampert Gleason was a fascinating interview subject as she knew the facts of the home inside and out. Her love for the history of this home was obvious.
After the story was edited I was very sad to hear that the actor who portrayed Benjamin Edwards had passed away. John Robertson had made the initial call to me that had reawakend my interest in Edwards Place. I’m very grateful that I had a brief chance to meet him when we were taping the story. And I know that the Art Association is very thankful to all the work he has done at Edwards Place over the years. I hope this story is a fitting tribute to his memory.
Segment duration: 07:33
Story links:
- Springfield Art Association
- Edward Place on Online Springfield
- Map of Edwards Place on Superpages.com
Producer: Alison Davis Wood
Editor: Chris Lukeman
This segment is filed in these categories: Arts/Culture • Historical Landmarks • Illinois Culture/History • Springfield
back to the main Prairie Fire page
Comments: