Illinois Historic Preservation Agency
06/07/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 06/08/2026 09:29
Grand Levee set for June 20 at Vandalia Statehouse State Historic Site
SPRINGFIELD - The Vandalia Statehouse State Historic Site will host the annual Grand Levee, a celebration of the grand receptions held during the 1800s to honor government dignitaries and important visitors, on Saturday, June 20.
The event, featuring an entire day of activities and entertainment, is free and open to the public. The historic site is at 315 W. Gallatin St. in Vandalia.
Festivities will begin at 10 a.m. on the lawn of the Vandalia Statehouse with period arts and crafts demonstrations, children's activities, painting and woodcarving by the Fayette County Art Connection, and performances by the Dulcimer Guy. Food and beverages will be available for purchase, and the Rotary Club will provide free funnel cakes.
Other activities include performances by the Clockwork Clown, Times in History: A Traveling Museum, Professor Farquar and Polecat Annie, and the Singing Blacksmith Bryan Dale Headley. Families can enjoy giant bubble activities with Wild Foam Adventures and get up close with animals with the Lucky R Mobile Petting Zoo.
The Vandalia Statehouse is the oldest surviving capitol building in Illinois. It served as the state capitol from 1836 to 1839 and is open to the public between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday.
About IDNR
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources was established in 1925 as the Illinois Department of Conservation, bringing under one umbrella oversight of fish and game, forestry, public works, and lakes. Today, IDNR's work encompasses management of about 400 sites across Illinois, including state parks and historic sites; wildlife, fisheries, forestry, and natural heritage; Lake Michigan water allocation and coastal management; conservation police; mines and minerals; oil and gas; issuance of licenses, permits, and numerous grants; the World Shooting and Recreational Complex in Sparta; and the Illinois State Museum. Visit https://dnr.illinois.gov and follow us on Facebook , YouTube and LinkedIn .
Illinois Historic Preservation Agency published this content on June 07, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on June 08, 2026 at 15:29 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]