Search Other Collections

Take me back to the Oral History landing page.


Jennie Battles - Architectural Gems

​​Jennie Battles, the site manager for the Vachel Lindsay home from 2001 to 2014, gives the definitive tour of the Vachel Lindsay home in Springfield, Illinois. Vachel Lindsay was one of America's most famous poets of the early 20th century, one of the three renowned Prairie poets, the other two being Edgar Lee Masters and Carl Sandburg.  Jennie develops three major themes during this extensive tour: the story of the two families who lived in the home since its construction in the 1840s; the art and architecture of the home, especially as it appeared during the height of Lindsay’s career in the 1920s; and the life and times of Vachel Lindsay.

Interview Links

Abstract

Interview Session (Audio)

Transcript

Videos


Photos

Caption:
The Vachel Lindsay family circa 1930 while they lived in Vachel’s Springfield home. From left to right are his wife Elizabeth, daughter Susan, son Nicholas and Vachel.

Where:
Springfield, Illinois

When:
Circa 1930

Ownership:
May be restricted. Patrons desiring to use this photograph should contact the ALPL Audio-Visual Curator

Caption:
A portrait of Vachel Lindsay, date unknown.

Where:
Springfield, Illinois

When:
Unknown

Ownership:
May be restricted. Patrons desiring to use this photograph should contact the ALPL Audio-Visual Curator.

Caption:
This framed collection of Vachel Lindsay photos was signed by many of Jennie Battle’s fans on the occasion of her retirement in 2014 as site manager for the home.

Where:
Springfield, Illinois

When:
2014

Ownership:
Narrator’s photo

Caption:
Front view of the Vachel Lindsay home in Springfield, as it appeared in the early 2000s.

Where:
Springfield, Illinois

When:
Early 2000s

Ownership:
May be restricted. Patrons desiring to use this photograph should contact the ALPL Audio-Visual Curator.

Caption:
Front view of the Vachel Lindsay home in Springfield, as it appeared in the early 2000s.

Where:
Springfield, Illinois

When:
Early 2000s

Ownership:
Property of the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency



Social Links