Governor Duncan's Mansion

Jacksonville, Illinois is home to a number of restored historical residences from the 19th century.

This beautifully restored 3-story, 17-room mansion was built in 1834, the home of the sixth Illinois Governor, Joseph Duncan (1834-1838). It's the only Governor’s mansion still standing in the state other than the one in Springfield.  Placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1971, it displays many of the original Duncan family furnishings and is open for tours on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 1-4 p.m. (Memorial Day to Labor Day) Suggested donation: $3, Students 6-12 $2, children under 7 free.

As shown in this old photo of the home, it was built about a mile and a half west of the central business district of Jacksonville. The bell hanging under the ceiling of the main floor porch was purchased by Julia Duncan Kirby in 1882 and was used to call in the field hands. Today the mansion sits in the central west end residential district and is surrounded by other splendid historic homes. The grounds in front of the mansion are now beautiful Duncan Park.  
 
Some of the well-known visitors to the Governor's Mansion during Duncan's tenure were Daniel Webster, Abraham Lincoln, Stephen A. Douglas, and William Jennings Bryan.