HISTORICAL VANDALIA

VANDALIA, IL

Old Illinois State House, Gallatin Street, Vandalia, IL Built in 1836, this Federal and Greek Revival-style building was constructed to serve as the State Capitol for Illinois, when the state Capital was Vandalia.  Vandalia had become the Illinois State Capital in 1820, after it became clear that Kasakasia, which was located along the Mississippi River and had served as the territorial capital prior to statehood, was prone to flooding and unsuitable for long-term government operations.  The Old Illinois State House was utilized as a state capitol building until 1839, when the capital was moved from Vandalia to Springfield and the Old State Capitol was constructed to house the state legislature.  The building then became the Fayette County Courthouse in 1839, with the Fayette County Courts and government occupying the building until 1933.  In the 1850s, two-story Greek Revival-style pedimented porticoes were added to the north and south facades, and the interior was modified to suit the needs of the county government during the 19th Century and early 20th Century.  In 1933, the Fayette County Courthouse was moved to a renovated Queen Anne-style residence elsewhere in Vandalia, and the Old Illinois State House was restored and converted into a museum documenting its history and use as the State Capitol Building during the 1830s, as well as the early history of the Illinois State government when it was located in Vandalia between 1820 and 1839.  The building features brick exterior walls, painted white, with a side-gable roof, two-story pedimented porticoes at the north and south entrances in the center of the building’s north and south facades, which feature square columns made of brick, also painted white, and doric capitals, twenty-over-twenty double-hung windows, doors with transoms and Greek Revival-style surrounds that include cornices and doric pilasters, decorative Italianate-style trim surrounds at the window openings, a cornice with denials, and a cupola in the middle of the roof with chamfered corners, decorative pilasters, six-over-six double-hung windows, a dome, and a flagpole.  Inside, the building has been restored to its circa 1837 appearance, the year that the Illinois State Government voted to move the State Capital from Vandalia to Springfield, with a restored legislative chamber and offices, as well as gallery and exhibition space, restrooms, offices, and support areas.  The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974, and in 1985, became known as the Vandalia State House State Historic Site, operated by the Illinois Historic Preservation Division, formerly the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency.  The building today remains in operation as a history museum.
Old Illinois State House, Gallatin Street, Vandalia, IL Credit: w_lemay

Historical Vandalia is a town located in Fayette County, Illinois. It was founded in 1819 and served as the capital of Illinois from 1819 to 1839. The town was named after the ancient Germanic tribe, Vandals.

During its time as the state capital, Vandalia was the center of political activity in Illinois. The state's first constitution was written and adopted in Vandalia in 1818, and the Illinois General Assembly met in the town's Statehouse.

Vandalia's economy was primarily based on agriculture and transportation. The town was located on the National Road, a major east-west transportation route, and was home to several mills and factories.

Today, Historical Vandalia is home to several historic sites and landmarks. The Vandalia Statehouse, which served as the state capitol from 1836 to 1839, has been restored and is open to the public. The Fayette County Museum, housed in the former county jail, showcases the history of the town and the surrounding area.

Overall, Historical Vandalia is an important part of Illinois history and continues to attract visitors interested in the state's early political and economic development.

HISTORICAL VANDALIA is a History Museum in VANDALIA IL. US MID #8401701127

The museum is classed as HST (History Museums). It comes under American Alliance of Museums (AAM) region: Midwest (Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Wisconsin). Total revenue from most recent IRS 990 Form: $ 30,885 from tax period 201212 (YYYYMM).

Contact HISTORICAL VANDALIA

HISTORICAL VANDALIA INC 060294
PO BOX 398
VANDALIA
IL
62471-0398

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HISTORICAL VANDALIA Information

MID # 8401701127
Name HISTORICAL VANDALIA INC 060294
Alternate Name HISTORICAL VANDALIA
Classification History Museums, , Midwest
Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN) 371327423
NTEECC A54
Tax period of the latest return filed (YYYYMM) 201212
INCOME 52,683
REVENUE 30,885
LAT/LONG 38.972068, -89.110027
CODES FIPS State Code: 17
FIPS County Code: 051
US Census Tract: 950800
US Census Block: 3000