David A. Smith House :: 100 Year Anniversary

Greetings from Smith House!

Whether you were a Delt, Sig Phip, or a Beta while attending Illinois College, you probably considered Smith House your second home. From rush, to pledging and recruitment, to business, regular, and Judges’ meetings, it was in your society meeting room that you were developing lifelong friendships, confidence, and public speaking and leadership skills. Many of us probably did not realize the long-lasting value of our
involvement in a literary society until after graduation. All those memories, friendships, and skills would not have been possible had Smith House not been acquired.

In 2024 we will be celebrating the 100th anniversary of that acquisition – a feat accomplished by women and for women. As plans are finalized, you will be hearing more about the many events planned for the year, including:

• A display at the Jacksonville Area Museum.
• Several open houses.
• A special Homecoming celebration on October 26, 2024.

We hope that you will be able to attend some of these special events and revisit Smith House.

As the years have gone by, the board has attempted to keep up with changing needs while working within limited funds. We incur annual exterior and interior maintenance costs and have undertaken major remodeling projects such as wallpaper, painting, rugs, flooring, and a new kitchen and first floor restroom. The second-floor apartment has been remodeled into a lounge for the mutual enjoyment of the three societies.

As we begin the centennial celebration of the acquisition of Smith House, the Smith House Board is reaching out to ask you for monetary donations to cover the costs of installing air conditioning. This project will not only help preserve the interior of the House but will make the House more comfortable for everyone who walks through its doors. The current cost for this project is estimated at $120,000. That estimate will no doubt increase as time goes by so we are hopeful that, with everyone’s help, we can reach our goal and begin the project as soon as possible. However, should our fundraising efforts fall short at this time, all donations will be preserved until we can afford to go forward or, should the project become financially unattainable, will be used for continued preservation and maintenance of Smith House.

When David Smith built his magnificent family home in 1854, he could not have possibly envisioned its impact on the college-age women who have since walked through its doors – women, like you, who have experienced the unique and rare opportunity of belonging to a literary society.

We have been so fortunate to have this house for our use for 100 years, a house so closely tied to Illinois and Jacksonville history. We hope you will consider a donation to this beautiful home that is so lovingly filled with history, tradition, and memories of the bonds of sisterhood.
With your generous and thoughtful help, Smith House can continue to flourish just as the literary societies have.

With deep appreciation,

Sandy Stallings Bellatti '70, Diane Taylor Hollendonner '76 Pam Carney Martin '82 Nancy
Homann Lindsay '79 ,Ginny Bramley Fanning '75, and Martha Summers Vache '67

The Executive Committee, David A. Smith House Board