Susan Lawrence Dana

Susan Lawrence Dana, the only child of Mary and Rheuna Lawrence, was born in 1862. In 1883, Susan Lawrence married a young mining engineer, Edwin Dana, who later worked for Rheuna Lawrence. Susan and her husband had two children who both died in infancy. In 1900, Edwin Dana died in a mining accident, which brought great sorrow to Susan's life. Susan went on at age fifty to marry a young Danish singer named Lawrence Joergen-Dahl, but he died suddenly a year later. Her third marriage to Springfield resident Charles Gehrmann ended in divorce.

Rheuna Lawrence's death in 1901 struck Susan another blow. He left her a large fortune, however, and she turned her energies into building a new house incorporating her father's Italianate style residence. After the completion of her home, Susan vigorously pursued her public life, including campaigning for women's rights, working for the equality of African-Americans and participating in committees for social services and the arts. By 1928, Susan Dana was increasingly lonely due to the death of her cousin Florence (who had lived with Susan) and her interests in political activities began to take the place of her love of entertaining. Although Susan owned numerous lands and properties, she was unable to access cash for increasing living expenses (a new heating system was needed in the House) and had to move out of the large home and into a small, white cottage behind it. During her last years, Susan became senile and was declared incompetent and hospitalized in 1942. The following year, Susan Dana's personal property was sold at auction to satisfy her debts. A tent was pitched for five days near the Dana house and auctioneers sold almost all of Susan's belongings. The sale drew large numbers of curiosity seekers who gaped at Susan's jewelry and property that was displayed in Springfield store windows prior to the auction. Newspaper accounts described the collection of her belongings as eccentric and flamboyant, however, they did not mention the large library of books by authors such as Voltaire, Goethe, Mark Twain and George Sand.

May 17 - 1-3 PM Book signing with author Melinda McDonald
May 26 - Open for Memorial Day
June 22 - 1-3 PM Ice Cream Social
July 4 - Open for Fourth of July
July 26 - Jazz in Bloom
September 1 - Open for Labor Day
September 18 - Foundation Annual Meeting
October 12 - Susan Dana Birthday