Central Illinois Bed and Breakfast the Market Street Inn

Every month is “Love Month” but February is the biggest one of all. To help you celebrate with your favorite Valentine we are offering you a “Valentine Package”. Stay two (2) nights in one of our Queen or King Bedded Whirlpool Rooms and receive a 20% discount, a $20 Gift Certificate toward dinner at One East Market Restaurant and Jazz Lounge and Dipped Strawberries in addition to our high quality service and breakfasts. Pick your room and dates and call to book your reservation because, a deal as good as this is not available via online booking.  This deal is valid all of February 2013 and may not be combined with any other offer.

Small towns are great because many folks know and trust and love one another and really have fun getting together and making a party for almost any reason. Garlic is a good reason to have a party. “Garlic Fest II” happens on Sunday, October 28 from 1 to 8 PM in the Morrisonville K of C Hall in Morrisonville, IL just about 10 miles from our front door. Have you ever heard of Bagna Cauda? It is

The small town of Taylorville is about to see the opening of something which is usually only found in much larger communities. Gowin Parc is a facility which offers care to those who suffer from Alsheimer’s Disease. Today the Taylorville Kiwanis Club were treated to lunch and a pre-opening tour of the Taylorville, Illinois facility. Here is their website: http://www.gowinparc.com/

 October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Myrna, our chief innkeeper, is a survivor of  6 months. Our effort in promoting Breast Cancer Awareness Month is to invite you to a stay at the Market Street Inn Bed and Breakfast for the weekend of Friday and Saturday, October 29 and 30 or anytime through November 21, 2010 AND  10%  of your room rate will be donated to Cups for the Cure and/or Breast Cancer Research.  The donation will be in your name.

Some special events in Taylorville, IL   

** One East Market Restaurant invites you to make a $15 donation to attend a tasting of five fabulous wines and a complimentary, hand painted wine glass.  11 am to 5 pm    You may purchase any of the wines either by the bottle or case and all proceeds will go to breast cancer awareness and research in a ten-county area in Central Illinois.

** Lunch on the “Pink Plate Special” for $8.50 and $1.00 of each lunch will go to breast cancer research.

** The drink of the day at One East Market Restaurant will be the Flirtini Special for $7.50. Each Flirtini Special sold makes a $2.50 donation to Breast Cancer Research.

** There will be a 50/50 drawing and Gift Basket Raffles.

** There will be Art Bra’s on display, one by your innkeeper, and you may let your $$ vote for your favorite and, of course, all proceeds go to breast cancer awareness and research.

** There is NO COVER CHARGE for live music by 48 Connection from 5 to 8 PM. This band is known for their roadhouse blues and rock music.

Have fun, donate to a very worthy cause and enjoy Central Illinois finest lodging.  See us at www.marketstreetinn.com/

On Sunday, October 31st, Garlic Fest II will happen at the K of C Hall in Morrisonville, IL  just about 9 miles from the Market Street Inn Bed and Breakfast.  Tickets are $8 at the door and what a good time you will have.  Garlic!!!!  The doors will open at 1 PM and Bagna Cauda will be ready about 1:30 PM.  This gives you time to soak up a bunch of Bagna and beer preparing for the meal which will be at approximately 3:30 PM consisting of Garlic Sausage, Slaw & Mostaccioli.  There will be music by “The Music Men” from 3:30 to 7:30 PM.  Garlic Fest II is a revived area tradition and golly, did we miss it when it was gone.  Thanks for the revival.  You cannot have more down home fun than is available here.      

Bagna Cauda Recipe

Garlic Fest II Where Garlic is King

Visit the Dana-Thomas House in Springfield

The Dana-Thomas House is a short drive from our Taylorville Illinois inn. Devotees of Frank Lloyd Wright’s architectural style travel all around the country to visit his buildings, and we are fortunate to have such a stellar example of his work so close to home.

The Dana-Thomas House is a renovation of an existing home. The Lawrence family, of Springfield Illinois, hired Frank Lloyd Wright in 1902 to renovate their home and create a showcase as well. By the time the work was complete two years later, the original Italianate style Victorian was entirely engulfed by the new structure. From the outset, it was recognized as “a symbol of artistic and architectural excellence” and today it is still considered “the finest example of the creativity and uniqueness characteristic of the Prairie School of Architecture” (quotes from Governor James R. Thompson, 1983).

The Dana-Thomas House is open to the public Wednesday through Sunday, from 9am to 4pm. Fill your tummy with a delicious home-made breakfast at our Springfield area inn, and then head out for a fascinating tour.

Celebrate Route 66 in Central Illinois.

Make your plans now for a visit to the 8th Annual International Route 66 Mother Road Festival in Springfield Illinois, September 25 – 27. This free festival is just a few minutes down the road from our Central Illinois bed and breakfast. Over 1,000 unbelievably cool cars will be on site, along with music, food and entertainment. There is no cost for spectators. If you are interested in displaying your classic automobile, register at the International Route 66 Festival.

Live music from The Hit Men, Groove Daddies, Strange Brew and others will keep your spirits high as you check out all the interesting rides. During the day, you’ll enjoy events such as the Poker Race and the Swap Meet. This is fun for the whole family.

Our Taylorville Il lodging is close to Springfield, and offers plenty of small town charm. You’ll have a peaceful place to rest from the day’s activities. Plus, we’ll energize you each morning with a home cooked, delectable breakfast. What a great way to spend a weekend!

Look forward to local Lincoln events soon near our Springfield IL lodging.

On February 8th and 9th at the Abraham Lincoln Library & Museum, enjoy a presentation by Columbia University historian Erik Foner, who has recently finished a book project as editor of esteemed essays on Lincoln. The book is called Our Lincoln: New Perspectives on Lincoln and His World. Foner will be presenting his thoughts on the 16th president during the lecture: “Reflecting on Lincoln”. The event will begin at noon in the library multi-purpose room.

Later in the day there is a panel discussion lead by the owner of the Abraham Lincoln bookshop Dan Weinberg. All the way from Chicago, he is going to be joined by some of the other leading Lincoln collectors in the nation. The panel, entitled “Collecting Lincoln”, will start at 2 p.m. This will be an excellent chance for visitors to learn more about Lincolnland. These events require reservations, so make sure to call the museum at: 217-558-8934

Lincoln once said, “To this place, and the kindness of its people, I owe everything.” He was speaking to the community of Springfield Illinois, where he made a home for himself and found his wife.

Today, much of what made Springfield a home to Lincoln is still here. His law office, which he ran with his partner William H. Herndon, is now on the registrar of historic places, and one can take a tour of the historic building. In the summertime, there is a costumed guide portraying Lincoln’s clerk.

Market Street Inn is near Springfield IL Lodging. We are approximately 29 miles from Springfield.

There are several other interesting historical Lincoln sites in Springfield. One can visit Lincoln’s home; the

Abe Lincolin's Home in Springfield IL

only home he ever owned, where he lived for 17 years before leaving for Washington D.C.

It was also here in Lincoln Hometown that Abe delivered his “House Divided” speech. It was during the Republican National Convention; only after that speech did the concept of a “divided House” become common terminology.

Lincoln addressed the people of Springfield at the train depot before leaving to take office in the White House. It was here that he spoke the kind words about his community members quoted at the top of this page. You can visit this Great Western Railroad Station, where Lincoln bid farewell to his friends and family to take on the greatest responsibility of his life.

And, of course, Lincoln’s tomb is also here in Springfield. After his assassination, his remains were returned to the town he loved so much, and great speeches to his unparalleled service were spoken. His tomb is a sizable 117-foot tower, and contains the bodies of his wife and three of four sons. The outside of the tomb features sculptures of Lincoln, and inside are many excepts from Lincoln’s speeches and famous words. It is a powerful place, and an essential part of any visit to Lincolnland.

The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum, an extraordinary new facility, opened just a few years ago.   It is open 7 days weekly w/ Wednesday being the late day.   One should allow approximately 4 hours for this tour.   

I hope you will come to visit us, and Lincoln, soon. There is a wreath-laying ceremony at his tomb on February 12. Starting in June and throughout the summer there is a flag lowering ceremony every Tuesday night at 7 p.m. at the tomb.

A humble man, Lincoln remains alive because what he did with his life affects us all today. Come and visit the home of this American hero.