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 on the website.

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...

Fat Ass 5K & Street Party for Charity

Downtown Springfield, IL •  May 09 – May 10 @ 5PM

Thousands of runners gather from all across the U.S. to jog through the streets and enjoy the festivities of the Fat Ass 5k. Join us…

Read more about Fat Ass 5K & Street Party for Charity

Moonlight Market

500 S 6th Street •  May 07 – Sep 17 @ 6PM

Moonlight Market takes place the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month, May through September on Jackson Street between 6th and 7th.

Read more about Moonlight Market

Old Capitol Farmers' Market in Downtown Springfield

Downtown Springfield-Corner of 4th & Adams St •  May 14 – Oct 25 @ 8PM

Visit Springfield's longest-running and most popular Farmers Market in beautiful downtown Springfield.

Read more about Old Capitol Farmers' Market in Downtown Springfield

You might also be interested...

WWII Illinois Veterans Memorial

Springfield

This memorial honors the 987,000 men and women from the State of Illinois who served our country during World War II.

Read more about WWII Illinois Veterans Memorial

Old State Capitol

Springfield

Within these walls a great man rose to prominence to become the 16th president of the United States. It was here Lincoln spoke the immortal words,…

Read more about Old State Capitol

Illinois Police Officers Memorial

Springfield

Read more about Illinois Police Officers Memorial

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

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