Decatur’s Historic Oglesby Mansion to Host July 4th Open House

The Oglesby Mansion

     The Governor Richard J. Oglesby Mansion and Museum, located at 421 West William Street, will be hosting a special July 4th open house from 2pm to 4pm. Suggested donation is $5 per adult and $2 per child. The mansion museum is filled with original artifacts from the Oglesby family.
     In recognition of our country’s birthday museum tourists will get the rare opportunity to sit at the original law desk of Governor Oglesby and have a picture of them “signing” an authentic looking copy of the 13th amendment for a small additional fee. They will get to keep the amendment copy and staff will take a photo of them with the visitor’s phone as a keepsake.
     Historically, Richard J. Oglesby is recognized as Decatur’s most distinguished citizen. He served his country as a U.S. Senator, a Civil War Union General, and a three-time Governor of Illinois.  The Governor was born July 25, 1824.  Oglesby was a close friend and confidant of Abraham Lincoln.  He nominated Lincoln for the presidency in Decatur and ultimately accompanied his body back to Illinois after the assassination.
     Governor Oglesby’s historic connection to the 13th Amendment is:  On February 1 in 1865, Illinois became the first in the nation to ratify the 13th Amendment, which abolished slavery in the United States.
     Senator Lyman Trumbull sent a telegram to Illinois Governor Richard J. Oglesby notifying him that the U.S. House had voted to send the 13th Amendment to the states for ratification. He urged the Governor to let Illinois be the first state to do so. Both the Illinois House and Senate quickly approved a joint resolution to ratify the amendment on February 1, 1865. Governor Oglesby immediately signed the resolution, making Illinois the first state in the nation to ratify the 13th Amendment.
     More information about the Mansion is available at www.oglesbymansion.org