Skip to main content
Shedd Aquarium

Vachel Lindsay Home

603 S. 5th St., Springfield, IL 62703

Historic Sites

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.

Now Open. Reservations required for your visit. Book your reservation here.

Nicholas Vachel Lindsay is considered a founder of modern singing poetry, as he referred to it, in which verses are meant to be sung or chanted.  Vachel Lindsay became famous in the early 20th century as a traveling bard whose dramatic delivery of public readings helped keep appreciation for poetry as a spoken art alive in the American Midwest.  Now you can visit his home in Springfield, IL.

The house was built in the late 1840s; one of the first owners of the home was C.M. Smith, whose wife, Ann, was the sister of Mary Todd Lincoln. Both Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln were frequent visitors. The house was purchased in 1878 by Lindsay's parents and remained in the Lindsay family for 80 years.

How to find us?

Back to Listings

What's happening nearby...

Downhome Music Festival

Downtown Springfield •  Jul 26 – Jul 27 @ 5PM

Showcases local music while introducing our festival goers to a variety of craft beer. We create an opportunity for artists and beer lovers alike to enjoy…

Read more about Downhome Music Festival

Springfield Lucky Horseshoes Baseball

Robin Roberts Stadium •  May 28 – Jul 31 @ 6:30PM

Catch all the excitement of the 2024 Springfield Lucky Horseshoes' baseball season

Read more about Springfield Lucky Horseshoes Baseball

Levitt Amp Music Series in Downtown Springfield

The Y Block-Downtown Springfield •  May 30 – Aug 01 @ 6PM

The Levitt Amp Concert Series is back for 2024 in downtown Springfield

Read more about Levitt Amp Music Series in Downtown Springfield

You might also be interested...

Illinois Korean War Memorial

Springfield

The Memorial consists of a twelve-foot-tall bronze bell, honoring the 1,748 Illinoisans killed during the 1950-1953 Korean War. This memorial was dedicated on June 16,…

Read more about Illinois Korean War Memorial

Lincoln Depot

Springfield

Restored 1852 train depot, from which President-Elect Abraham Lincoln departed for Washington D.C. on February 11, 1861. Lincoln gave one of his most memorable speeches from…

Read more about Lincoln Depot

Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War Museum

Springfield

The war that helped shape a country is remembered here in "War of the Rebellion: Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies."

Read more about Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War Museum

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get inspired by top travel stories, gain access to exclusive promotions and contests, and discover even more reasons to #EnjoyIllinois.