For many in central Illinois, the Macoupin County Spring Festival and antique tractor and engine show is a Memorial weekend tradition. With a choice of chicken and noodles, ham and beans or grilled pork chops, visitors often have two complete meals, then top it off with strawberry shortcake.

In between, the visitors at the 2012 festival in Carlinville could be seen wending their way between vendors with sacks full of kettle corn, one hand free to delve into the bag and another to hold it and a bag full of buys.  

One of the big attractions at this show is the lovely Anderson mansion and the 16 acres the show is set upon. During the festival, the mansion is open to the public.

The home of the Macoupin County Historical Society & Museum, the mansion is located at 920 W. Breckenridge Street; for a $3 donation, visitors could walk around the house and view the antique-filled home steeped in history.

In 1883, John C. Anderson and his wife, Lucy Boddie Anderson, built their one-story residence here. Their family grew and in 1892 the house was enlarged to two stories.

Anderson was the son of C.H.C. Anderson, owner and founder of the Banking House of C.H.C. Anderson in Carlinville.

The family had eight children and they named their home Argyle. After the death of Mr. and Mrs. Anderson, the children inherited it and eventually, Jessie Claude Anderson Crawford purchased the home from her remaining siblings and lived there until her death at age 97.

Some of the special features of the Anderson mansion include two double-columned porches, two bay windows, eight fireplaces, an oak staircase, woodwork and many other items. But the crowning glory is the stained glass window on the second floor that was purchased during the World-Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1893.

Within the house are several displays showing what life was like in the 1800s. The home also serves as a library for the Historical Society and a mini military museum on the attic floor.

The mansion is open for touring June-August on Sundays from 1-5 p.m. or by special appointment. Call 217-854-2850 or 217-854-3916 for information if you’re going to be in the area.

Besides the mansion, the property also has a kitchen in a big red barn where they served up the delectable chicken and noodles. The festival offered a barn display of early farm and home equipment/furnishings and a display of large farm equipment. There is also a blacksmith shop, one-room schoolhouse, country store and more.

At this year’s show, the featured tractor was International Harvester, although collectors brought a variety of brands.

The next big event at the Macoupin County Historical Society is the Fall Festival, which is always the third weekend in September. Check the calendar now for this fall event.

Readers with questions or comments for Cindy Ladage may write to her in care of this publication.