A House That Made History

A House That Made History details an extraordinary restoration project led by Michael S. Smith, the interior designer for the Obama White House. In collaboration with First Lady MK Pritzker, the Illinois Governor’s Mansion was redecorated, showcasing the best of Illinois’s long tradition of fine craftsmanship. This project allowed the mansion’s rich history, exceptional decorative arts, and superb art collections to shine.

This visually stunning volume not only celebrates the updating of the Italianate–Greek Revival Illinois Governor’s Mansion in Springfield but also narrates the story of the house’s evolution since 1855. It delves into the lives and times of the renowned individuals who inhabited it, including illustrious visitors like Abraham Lincoln and FDR.

The rooms have been enhanced with sophisticated colour palettes, gorgeous fabrics, wallpapers, and bespoke furniture. In celebration of Illinois, one hallway is adorned with a striking corn-motif pattern, the Governor’s Dining Room is embellished with a charming folk-style mural, and the chic Chicago Room was created, featuring Frances Elkins’s canopied beds and a Samuel Marx secretary cabinet.

This book is ideal for those who love architecture, antiques, and learning about the lives of prominent Americans.