Little Brick House
Encyclopedia
Little Brick House is a restored 1860s middle class home in Vandalia, Illinois
, located in Fayette County
. The home is the only house in Vandalia to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places
. It has been listed as such since 1973.
. In 1956 Josephine Burtschi purchased the home and began restoring it to its original appearance. Burtschi, a local artist and historian was born in the home. Within the home's six rooms are furniture, china, engravings and books acquired from descendants of state officers, legislators and the Ferdinand Ernst Colony. The library in the home, called the Berry-Hall Room is a tribute to James William Berry, a talented Illinois artist and Judge James Hall
who established Vandalia as "the first literary center west of Cincinnati. Through the years the home has been renovated and furnished with period furnishings and early artifacts of Vandalia. Today the home is open to the public.
Vandalia, Illinois
Vandalia is a city in Fayette County, Illinois, United States, northeast of St. Louis, on the Kaskaskia River. From 1819 to 1839 it served as the state capital of Illinois. Vandalia was the western terminus of the National Road. Today it is the county seat of Fayette County and the home of the...
, located in Fayette County
Fayette County, Illinois
Fayette County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 22,140, which is an increase of 1.6% from 21,802 in 2000. Its county seat is Vandalia...
. The home is the only house in Vandalia to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
. It has been listed as such since 1973.
History
The home is thought to have been constructed in the mid-19th century as an example of Italianate architecture, probably around 1839, before the capitol moved from Vandalia to SpringfieldSpringfield, Illinois
Springfield is the third and current capital of the US state of Illinois and the county seat of Sangamon County with a population of 117,400 , making it the sixth most populated city in the state and the second most populated Illinois city outside of the Chicago Metropolitan Area...
. In 1956 Josephine Burtschi purchased the home and began restoring it to its original appearance. Burtschi, a local artist and historian was born in the home. Within the home's six rooms are furniture, china, engravings and books acquired from descendants of state officers, legislators and the Ferdinand Ernst Colony. The library in the home, called the Berry-Hall Room is a tribute to James William Berry, a talented Illinois artist and Judge James Hall
James Hall
-Actors, Entertainment, Broadcasting:* James Hall , American actor* Jamie Hall , Canadian TV producer-Authors:* James Hall , American academic* James Baker Hall , American author...
who established Vandalia as "the first literary center west of Cincinnati. Through the years the home has been renovated and furnished with period furnishings and early artifacts of Vandalia. Today the home is open to the public.