Open for Visitors

Great news everyone! The home has reopened and we are giving tours...YEA!!!!! Most of the furniture has been moved back to it's proper place and most of the artifacts have been put back out on display.

We are working on some exciting changes and updates for the home. Several of the cases in the museum are going to be restored and we are working on getting new gates fabricated for both of the end rooms to the home, so they can be reopened for visitors to enjoy.

Now just because there are some changes going on please don't think for one minute that our priority has shifted because our first and primary goal is to get the needed repairs and renovations addressed and paid for. Always remember that we have a single focus and that is for the homes well being and it's very survival.

Please, please, please come out and visit us very soon. We'll welcome you with a smile and friendly greeting, because we appreciate your support.

Oh Happy Day!!!

Today was a absolutely wonderful day in Randolph County. The Menard Home reopened to visitors for the first time in five months!!!! We were so happy to see the closed signs go down, the chains across the front steps removed and activity once again taking place at the home. It's been far to long since the parking lot had cars in it and tourists walking the grounds and enjoying the home and gardens. Life has returned to the way it should be. Oh Happy Day!!!!!!!

The Menard Home Reopens on April 23, 2009

Our new Governor, Pat Quinn has decided to reopen the historic sites and has done it in a sweeping and decisive fashion. We will reopen next Thursday, April, 23rd, 2009. We've been caught off guard by this quick turn of events, but we will help get the home ready to open to visitors by next Thursday. I hope everyone will make a trip out next weekend.

Again thank you all for your support.

The Menard Home is Re-Opening...Soon!!!!

Good news everyone! We were told today that all the laid-off state employees are being recalled next week and that the historic sites will reopen shortly there after. Thank you all very much for your support, kind words and prayers that helped the home through some very dark months. We must now look forward and toward a brighter future and a renewed purpose for the home and for the volunteers.

We, the Friends of the Menard Home are still here and are still plugging away. We are still dedicating ourselves to making sure that the home is taken care of that we are doing everything that we can possibly do to alert people who hold positions of authority that the home is an important part of the history of not only this county, but also this state and this nation. We have been fighting this battle for over a year now to bring attention to the plight of this once grand home. We will continue to fight and draw attention when we can to the needs of the home, looking out for it's welfare and being watchdogs who will make the necessary noise to get the attention the home needs. Some may call us crazy...or worse, we choose to say we are passionate, but we will not stop until the home is properly taken care of.

We are already starting to work on plans to host another Garden Walk this year, please stay tuned for more information on this event, as well as many others and an opening date for the Menard Home.