DD Collins House, Collinsville

About DD Collins House

The DD Collins House in Collinsville is a restored historic museum house where visitors explore period furnishings, historic artifacts, and displays about the Collins family. The grounds feature educational gardens designed as an extension of the University of Illinois Master Garden program, where visitors can learn about plantings like the Ostrich fern and discover related recipes. Children receive a free coloring book filled with patriotic scenes celebrating American independence. The house itself displays interior features from the 1840s-1850s, including fireplaces with period-appropriate mantels, restored windows and doors, and furnishings selected to reflect the era. Docent-led tours share stories about Daniel Dove Collins and his family. The site also hosts seasonal events, including an annual garden plant sale and Johnny Appleseed talks held in spring. Located in Collinsville, the DD Collins House serves as both a National Historic landmark and an educational destination for those interested in nineteenth-century Illinois history and heritage gardening.