The Dana-Thomas House State Historic Site is celebrating the life and contributions of Susan Lawrence Dana by establishing the inaugural Susan Lawrence Dana Lego Brick Building Competition. The newly announced creative contest invites brick enthusiasts of every age to construct original works that take inspiration from architectural forms, natural botanical elements, and broad artistic designs.
Organized to commemorate Dana’s birthday, the initiative pays tribute to her long-standing heritage as a dedicated patron of craftsmanship, architecture, and the visual arts. According to community announcements detailing the project, top-selected submissions from the contest will earn a rare showcase inside the historic Springfield residence designed by legendary architect Frank Lloyd Wright.
Susan Lawrence Dana, who was born on Oct. 13, 1862, served as the visionary who commissioned the landmark estate and maintained an exceptionally active presence throughout its architectural planning and structural construction. Rather than remaining a passive client, she worked closely with Wright to develop a home that mirrored her appreciation for inventive form, elevated craft, and purposeful community gathering spaces.
Historical records highlight Dana’s deep social conscience and her desire to uplift the labor community. Following the completion of the mansion, she chose to host the residence's very first social event specifically for the builders and craftspeople who constructed the estate, inviting their families so that local children could proudly view their parents' hard work.
In addition to celebrating laborers, Dana continually supported youth enrichment throughout her life by underwriting specialized classes in design and the arts. She frequently organized and encouraged craft-centered student contests, particularly those focusing on woodworking and traditional decorative trades, establishing a precedent that directly inspired the new Lego event.
Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) Director Jim Montgomery highlighted the importance of remembering Dana's personal impact on the estate. He noted that while Frank Lloyd Wright is celebrated globally for his architectural genius, equal recognition belongs to the forward-thinking woman who commissioned and helped shape the famous Springfield mansion.
Montgomery further emphasized that the Lego contest offers a fitting platform for participants across the state to commemorate Dana’s advocacy on behalf of women and children. By engaging in hands-on building, entrants are encouraged to create innovative, playful models that capture the exact spirit of artistic curiosity and craftsmanship that Dana championed during her lifetime.
The competition features three distinct thematic tracks to accommodate various artistic styles, comprising architecture, botanicals, and freeform building. Contest organizers strongly encourage participants to develop unique and original concepts rather than assembling pre-packaged retail kits.
To ensure balanced competition, entries will be evaluated across four separate age categories: ages 5 to 8, ages 9 to 12, ages 13 to 17, and an adult division for builders ages 18 and older. Prospective participants are required to finalize and submit their online entries, accompanied by photographs of their finished models, by the application deadline on Oct. 13.
Once the submission window closes, a panel of designated judges will review the submitted photographs to determine the top creations in each category and select the final pieces intended for public presentation. Official winners of the contest are scheduled to be formally revealed on Oct. 31.
The winning models and selected entries will subsequently be installed throughout the Dana-Thomas House State Historic Site for a special public exhibition. Visitors will be able to view these modern brick creations alongside Wright’s historic architecture from Nov. 1 through Nov. 15.
Alongside the creative competition, organizers have established a charitable community initiative to provide construction toys to local youth. The historic site is actively collecting new and gently used Lego bricks through Oct. 1, with donated items earmarked for redistribution to area children through an organized partnership with Compass for Kids.
Members of the public who wish to contribute building materials can bring their donations directly to the Dana-Thomas House Foundation office, situated at 302 E. Lawrence Ave. in Springfield. Drop-offs are accepted daily between the hours of 10:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. throughout the donation window.
Additional information on site programming and entry procedures can be found on the state historic preservation website at dnrhistoric.illinois.gov, with inquiries handled by email through dnr.historicspringfield@illinois.gov. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources clarified that the event is an independent community initiative and is not authorized, sponsored, endorsed, or affiliated with the Lego Group.
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