helen jeffris wood museum center

Interesting exhibits and information about the early settlers in Janesville. Next door to the Tallman House where Lincoln visited, it is nice to do them both together. The Tallman House was not open to the public yet, but because my sister came all the way to California, we had to keep our coats on but they gave us the full tour..so friendly and helpful!

See the bedwhere Lincoln sleptHe wasn't prezHe'd be soon yet.The man was tallthe bed was shorthe shared it tooOh, what a sport!He stayed two nightsthough one unplanned"A train was missed."We're told firsthand.Italianate,Cream City Brick.Archie friends,enjoy this schtick.Our guide was greatshe knew her stuffand talked all day.That must be tough!So when you're herein Janesville CityPlease tour this houseit isn't... like any other house in Rock County. It's pretty unique and one of the most fully restored historical houses in the Midwest. Furthermore, it's interesting to discover that even the average, middle-class citizen of 2014 lives in greater luxury than a wealthy antebellumer. I commend your preservation efforts, Rock County Historical Society. Keep up the good work!P.S. - if the funds get a little low, please consider auctioning off a night's stay in Lincoln's bedroom. It'd be worth at least a few hundred to me! ;)

We recently went on the Tallman House Christmas Tour. It was fascinating. The house is very well maintained and filled with interesting artifacts and furniture from the original era. We learnt so much about the visit of Lincoln and life in Janesville in the 1850's. I would thoroughly recommend the tour.

Rather that restate what others have said, Yes, this is a worthwhile and interesting tour of both the Lincoln-Tallman house and the museum next door. The guide we had was extremely knowledgeable and answered many questions. We visited with some friends from Milwaukee on a summer Saturday morning after going to the Janesville Farmer's market. We were fortunate to have the tour guide for only the 4 of us and spent about an hour and a quarter touring the home. As others have said, this home was well thought out and innovative for it's time, including a cistern water supply with gravity fed lavatory sinks in every bed room, and a "flushing" indoor privy of sorts. What we found even more of interest is how the home was owned by family members and then rented to one of the sisters for a period of time by a brother. The brother and his family built another home just down the street and at some point told the renting sister that she must move out. This was in the early 1900's as I recall, and the house then sat vacant for some 25(?) years or more. . . . including most of it's original furnishings. Since it was never sold to anyone else, it remained in "suspended animation" intact all these years. Later it was turned over to the Janesville Historical society. The home is remarkably preserved, very clean and even the basement is dry and clean. The home still has only minimal electrical wiring and no city running water connections. This visit is a must whether you just like old architecture like me or have a love of mid 1800's history and life style. The Lincoln-Tallman home will make you feel like you stepped back in time and is almost eery in it's presence and effect on you. Not in a bad way, but as though you could just settle in there and live in the past. One can easily envision the family and children and the two main servant/staff members living their daily lives there. If you are fortunate to have a tour guide like we had this home comes alive during your visit.

I am a descendent of Mr. William M. Tallman so this was a very special place for me to visit. The home was more than I expected it to be. I loved that most of the furnishings were original. Even though the home was vacant for years, it's a gem. I was amazed at the ingenuity of William, and how much advanced he was in his way of thinking. Doing family genealogy is fun, but when you find this in your history the long hours of work are well worth it. I left feeling a little taller and grateful for what my ancestors had done and accomplished so long ago. I think the guide could have known a little more. But I learned a lot I didn't know.

The Lincoln-Tallman house, an Italianate-style mansion that was constructed and occupied by William Morrison Tallman, a lawyer and abolitionist in 1857, is one of the central attractions of Janesville. The residence has the honor of being a Lincoln Site, where the President visited in October of 1859 prior to his election in 1860. Mr. Tallman was a New York lawyer who moved to Janesville since he learned that he could buy land cheaply and hopefully sell it for a profit. He became quite wealthy as a result and built the Italianate-style mansion as his home. It is well preserved and interestingly enough is filled with the majority of original furnishings, such as the bed that Lincoln slept in. Abe Lincoln visited here after making a presentation in Beloit, Wisconsin about abolition of slavery. Mr. Tallman invited Abe to stay with him at this home and Abe stayed here two days, becoming fast friends with the Tallmans. The home is filled with innovations, remarkable for its age and location, such as pocket shutters. I've built pocket doors but never heard of pocket shutters before. Local residents recall that there was a tunnel from the Rock River to this house, used as a stop on the "Underground Railroad" helping free slaves from the South as they sought freedom in the North.

Was able to stop by their annual summer art and music festival in August 2013. Great event with many artists at many different price-points--lots of local artists mixed in with artists from across the upper midwest and beyond. Great variety of styles and works of art--paint, ceramic, woven, etc., good food, and great music playing as well. A nice location--a good way to spend the day.

I continue to be astounded at the rich history of Rock County Wisconsin. Having been a life long resident and nearing middle age, I am shocked how little I actually know about the amazing things that have happened in our community. The Helen Jeffris Wood Museum Center with exhibits focusing on Pauline Pottery and Pickard China are breath taking as well as the Seed to Spoon exhibit showcasing the agricultural history of the community are definitely something to see. This was a very good way to spend a Saturday with my kids, ensuring that they know more than I do about where we are living! Thank you!

The campus and history of Janesville is shared in such engaging ways. The History Camp that occurs in the summer for young people is so much fun. The Lincoln Fun Dash in June. The Art Fest in August. I am looking forward to The Historical Walking Tours as I have not gone on them before. The Parker Pen Exhibit is now at Old Town Mall. The new Tallman's Technologies Tour starting later this summer will be spectacular. A whole new story on why the Tallmans added such amazing amenities to their home in the 1870's They were very visionary. There are so many events occurring in this historical part of Janesville. Keep an eye on their Facebook Page.Historical preservation is so critical so that each generation can understand how their ancestors made a difference in the lives of their community. The Rock County Historical Society is leading the way on how to engage us all and keep history alive.

The Tallman House is the best illustration of an Italianate home that I have ever seen, and I've visited a lot of historic homes. It's even more special, beyond the architecture, in that the family donated furnishings, even down to the china. The docent was engaging and knowledgeable. This house is appropriate for any age group to visit. Hearing the story of Abe Lincoln and "losing" his boots was a special part of the history.

I grew up in Janesville and I've been there several times. Over the years the "story" has been imbellished and retracted a bit, but the facts are there and it is not only interesting but exciting to be able to take a step back in history. I would reccommend this tour to any one interested in America's history.

The tallman house was visited by Lincoln. There Re some of his items and many stories they share about him,items in the house and traditions and beliefs of that era. A woman showed us their beautiful dishes in the museum. Along with the history involved.

I lived in Janesville as a child so I did not visit the Tallman House on this particular visit but went to see the Parker Pen Exhibit, and when finished all looked through the ceramics exhibit. The Parker Pen exhibit is small, and plans are underway to move it temporarily downtown to the Olde Towne Mall to make it more accessible (though Janesville is already pretty accessible...) It is interesting to see all the memorabilia that has been collected. The museum staff is interested in talking to former employees. They are also interested in Parker Pen stories - so be a part of history and stop to talk to the staff there.The ceramics exhibit is also interesting by itself, but in conjuction with the Parker Pen exhibit, it provides a fascinating look at the entrepreneurial climate of Janesville in the early 1900s.

This is a very well refurbished 1800's Italianate style mansion. 75% of the furninshings are original. Well done tour where you learn about the family and how it came to be that Mr. Lincoln slept there. Not much is roped off and you can stand inches from the bed Mr. Lincoln slept in.

pretty cool that abraham lincoln stayed right here.. that is a good enough reason to visit this place at least one time. Lots of history here neat rooms all preserved from along long time ago