The James Millikin Homestead, located in Decatur, Illinois, is the former residence of James and Anna Millikin, founders of Millikin University, Millikin Bank, and Millikin Estate Trust. In June 1974, the Millikin Homestead was added to the National Register of Historic places.

For more about the history of the James Millikin Homestead, please visit the History page and view our brochure.

News

A Time Remembered: Saturday, March 9th, step back in Decatur's history to the era of 1915 for an elegant dinner followed by the sizzling true-life entertainment," A Time to Remember," based on actual local events of the time! For more details on this fundraiser to benefit the Millikin Homestead, see our special events page.

No Room at the Inn: Join the Millikin Homestead for a Nativity display on Sunday, December 9th from 1-5pm. A display of a variety of nativity styles, from vintage to modern, loaned to the Homestead by local residents. Adults $5 each, children 13 and younger are free. Pay at the door. No reservations necessary. Complimentary refreshments.

Christmas Open House: The Homestead's annual Christmas open house will be held on Sunday, December 2nd from 12:30-4:30pm. Come see the house decorated for the holiday season and enjoy cookies, candies, and mulled cider. The Sweet Treats Bakery with baked goods, candies, and treats to purchase will be open for business.

Mr. & Mrs. Millikin Days, 2017: Photos from the 2017 Mr. & Mrs. Millikin days at the Homestead from the Decatur Herald & Review.

New online video tour: You can now take a tour of the Homestead online. Check out our new video tour on YouTube.

Restoration: The restoration of the Millikin Homestead's front hallway and staircase has begun, and the colors selected were discovered in the lion panel over the grand fire place in the front foyer of the homestead. Thomas Melvin, a Chicago painter who specializes in restorative painting, will be working on the restoration over the next month. Restoration Committee members Lucien and Brigitta Kapp have worked with Mr. Melvin in the past when he was here to complete other projects in the upstairs bedroom of the homestead. We are all very excited about the progress being made, and look forward seeing the project completed.

Donations: The children of Bill McGaughey were in Decatur last month for the planting of a Black Gum tree they donated in their father's memory. Bill, a Board Member and Ground Chair of the Millikin Homestead from 1989 to 2008, spent many hours through the years tending to the flowers and trees at the homestead.

Through regularly scheduled open houses, educational events, custom tours and rentals, fundraisers on location, and off-site sponsored events, the Homestead makes an effort to reach many different age and interest groups. One popular event is the "Mr. and Mrs. Millikin Days" program, where hundreds of local 3rd grade students are in attendance.

For more information about "Mr. and Mrs. Millikin Days," open houses, rental rates, and other events, please visit the following pages: Tours & Rates, Key Dates, and Special Events.

The Homestead, Inc., a not for profit corporation, was created in 1979 and is responsible for the maintenance and restoration of the interior of the homestead. Homestead, Inc., also strives to preserve this Decatur landmark by promoting community awareness of historical heritage and promoting preservation for the future generations.

For more information about Homestead, Inc., and how you can help preserve this historic landmark, please visit the Get Involved page.

The Millikin Homestead has close ties to Millikin University. Located just blocks from the Millikin University campus, the Homestead's grounds and buildings are cared for by the Millikin University grounds crew and security detail.

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