Blessings on State Bed & Breakfast
Jacksonville, IL
July 26 - 30th, 2017
The Red Chair headed to historic Jacksonville, Illinois for a few days of summertime and sunshine. Red checked in to the award-winning Blessings on State Bed and Breakfast, a magnificently restored 130-year-old mansion in the heart of the historic district. Red could hardly choose between the two beautiful, upscale guest suites, each having its own private sitting room and private baths. Good thing Red didn't have to make a decision at breakfast! Red was able to experience the full multi-course gourmet breakfast both mornings and it did not disappoint! The location of the Blessings on State Bed and Breakfast made it so convenient to explore Illinois College and the Governor Duncan Mansion nearby. After the Red Chair settled in on its first day, it headed over to the Governor Duncan Mansion, the only existing Governor's Mansion outside of the state capitol. This beautiful mansion served as the Illinois Governor's Mansion between 1834 and 1838, during Joseph Duncan's term of office. The mansion is currently owned and operated by the Rev. James Caldwell Chapter, NSDAR, and it still houses many original Duncan family furnishings. Jacksonville has many connections to Abraham Lincoln, including Governor Duncan. Abraham Lincoln served his first term as State Representative under this governor. Next the Red Chair Travels headed to roam the Illinois College Campus, founded in 1829, where it came across a statue of Abraham Lincoln with a dog. The Red Chair took a moment to pause in front of the Illinois College seal and reflect on all of the deep history ingrained here in Jacksonville. Next innkeeper Gwenn brought the Red Chair to the Ferris Wheel at City Park. Made right here in Jacksonville by the Eli Bridge Company, they also make the Scrambler fair rides! After a ride on the Ferris wheel, Red headed to one of four arches at Central Park in downtown Jacksonville. Jacksonville is a Main Street Community and reconstructing the four arches around Central Park was a major undertaking in the Downtown Turnaround plan. Last stop of the day was to Lonzerotti's Italia Restaurant for dinner, located in a restored train depot built in 1906. Lonzerotti's is recognized for their hand-cut steaks and specialty pastas, fluffy bread sticks and their house salad dressing. The Restaurant uses the original waiting rooms as dining rooms and entrance lobby in the station’s office and ticket area. The kitchen is located in what was the station’s baggage room and the food prep area was originally used by the railway express. After dinner, Red wandered downtown Jacksonville's Main Street to do a bit of evening shopping at Our Town Books, SoapCo Coffee House and Antiquarius II, all independently owned local businesses. It was then time to call it a night and head back to the Blessings on State Bed and Breakfast for a night of the most peaceful rest! After a scrumptious breakfast the next morning the Red Chair was ready to tackle another day. Innkeeper Gewnn brought Red to the Civil War statue in the center of Central Park. Dedicated in 1920, Jacksonville's Civil War Monument is dedicated to the memory of the men of Morgan County who enlisted in the United States Army as well as women and other local residents whose service and sacrifice helped the Union win the Civil War. The statue is capped by Columbia, a female figure who serves as a representation of the United States in many sculptures throughout the country. On the west side of the statue, Red found another female image which commemorates the sacrifice of local women during the Civil War. In 2006, a project to beautify downtown parking lot walls turned into a major event and a heritage tourism attraction so naturally Red just had to go check these Wall Dog Murals out! Fifty-two artists/sign painters from across the globe met here to create 10 mural sites that depict various aspects of Jacksonville's history and attract hundreds of visitors. The last piece of Red's stay in Jacksonville, IL, was a trip to Woodlawn Farm, the showcase homestead of Jacksonville's extensive Underground Railroad network. Red learned that former slaves were ushered through this home on their way to freedom. The Red Chair loved visiting Jacksonville and the innkeepers of the Blessings on State Bed and Breakfast, and is so glad it had the pleasure to explore this area for the few beautiful, full days it had here!
Photographs by Tiffany Warmowski, Warmowski Photography
Chestnut Street Inn
Sheffield, IL
July 17th - 21st, 2017
When the Red Chair heard that the Chestnut Street Inn was on the itinerary Red knew it was in for a treat! For all of those foodies our there, like our Red Chair, the Chestnut Street Inn is one Bed and Breakfast you shouldn't miss. Chef Monika prepares Mediterranean inspired menus, always featuring locally sourced food. Red was thrilled to find that Chef Monika also offers cooking classes and signed up at once! The Chestnut Street Inn is the perfect place to relax, walk the expansive gardens and to enjoy fantastic food. It is also centrally located to many things to do such as antiquing, shopping, golfing, biking, hiking, visiting historic sites, wineries, theater festivals and so much more. After a delicious breakfast the first morning Red and Innkeeper Monika started off their adventures with a stop to see Shakespeare in the Park, put on by the Festival 56 Theater Company. Festival 56 puts on a full array of plays and musicals through the summer season that are always a ton of fun! Next it was onto visit the Hornbaker Gardens, where Red found the largest collection of day lilies, irises and hostas east of the Mississippi. After wandering the gardens, Red and Innkeeper Monika headed to the Owen Lovejoy Homestead for a tour of this historically registered legacy of the Underground Railroad. After a full day, Red headed back to the Chestnut Street Inn for a dinner that would linger in Reds dreams for the next few nights, delicious! Day two was again filled with great adventures, from checking out the Historic Red Covered Bridge in Princeton, IL, to exploring the Hennepin Canal Parkway, to playing a round of golf at the Hidden Lake Country Club. The last few days Red really wanted to spend time relaxing and enjoying the inn itself, where it appreciated all of the various Moroccan artifacts that are on display. Chef Monika did her Masters research on Moroccan Tea Ritual and Red just loves how she incorporates her passion into sharing this incredible culture with her guests. It was an incredible stay and the Red Chair would love to come back again soon!
Parkside Bed & Breakfast
DeKalb, IL
July 13 - 17th, 2017
In the heart of DeKalb, IL the Red Chair discovered the Parkside Bed and Breakfast and its fabulous innkeepers Pam and Bob. After spending the first night just relaxing and getting the run down of the upcoming itinerary for its stay in DeKalb, Red awoke ready for the day to begin! First the Red Chair made its big debut on the stage of the historical Egyptian Theatre, then on to The Confectionary for a homemade chocolate delight and finished off the evening with a little shopping at My Favorite Things. The DeKalb Ag "Flying Ear of Corn" was its favorite item in the store. The weather was beautiful the next day and Red was able to tour Jonamac Orchards new Cider House and have a very nice chat with their VERY big chair! It was a beautiful day to visit the lagoon on the campus of Northern Illinois University, read more about Red's visit here. From there, Red Traveled south of DeKalb where it met the owners of Whiskey Acres Distilling Co. and had a tour of their facility and saw a wheat field that was ready for harvest. It was a busy day, but so enjoyable to be outside and learn more about DeKalb. On the Red Chair's last day the Innkeepers took Red to DeKalb's Hopkins Park and was able to lend a hand with wedding preparations outside by the Gazebo. The last stop was at the Ellwood House Museum. Red was very interested in the pint sized play house the children of the Ellwood family played in during the late 1800's. Red found a comfy spot on the porch and took a little snooze.
There was so much more to see, but it was time for Red to head on to the next stop in Sheffield. DeKalb is a great historical area as well as the home to many great attractions!
There was so much more to see, but it was time for Red to head on to the next stop in Sheffield. DeKalb is a great historical area as well as the home to many great attractions!
