Little Brick House

Josephine Burtschi, daughter of author, historian, and civic leader, Joseph Charles Burtschi (1874-1962), developed a great desire to save the old buildings of historic Vandalia. In 1956, she bid on the Little Brick House, which she dedicated to preserving the scenic and historic heritage of the United States for the benefit and enjoyment of its people. Before going to the Fayette County Courthouse to bid on it, Miss Burtschi carefully examined the building. Being her birthplace was another reason for wishing to purchase it.
Economically, it was sound and worth restoring. The architectural features gave it character and made it a house of distinction. She was pleased with the wide, pine floor boards, door hinges, shutter construction, hardware and shutter catches, door latches, wavy glass in the window panes, and porcelain door knobs and square iron locks. Open walnut shelves replaced modern built-in cabinets. Although a simple house, it had not undergone major surgery.
Since the fireplace had been boarded up, she decided to open it and use fireplace tiles from the Charles Wagner Mansion, 1900, and the 1834 Alexander Pope Field residence, both of which had been demolished. Having received these old pink and blue tiles she hired Melvin Jones to build a fireplace which she had designed.
In 1920, the house was a victim of changing fashions when the entry porch was torn down and replaced by a long porch. Such a change wan not architecturally correct. The conservationists at Springfield suggested Miss Burtschi find an early photograph of the house and restore the entry porch. Since the Joseph Burtschi family lived in the house prior to 1920, she found a photograph that clearly showed the spindle work railing. With his talent, George Miller, a prominent carpenter, carved the spindle-work, making the entry porch appear precisely like the photograph.
Miss Burtschi was also pleased with the common brick bonding-one course of bricks for every eight stretchers. Such construction made the house substantial. Being an interior decorator, she selected documentary wallpaper of the early nineteenth century, blended paint for the woodwork, and arranged the walnut furniture, engravings, china , and maps in each of six rooms. She displayed the frontier items appropriately as a artist of her caliber would.
Diligently, she studied the 1820-1839 period when Vandalia was the capital. Women sought to beautify their homes, doing needlework such as samplers, quilts, and window drapery of homespun. Irene Sonnemann Beckwith made the two samplers in the bedchambers. In 1925, the Lutheran ladies hand stitched all the quilts in the house, which belonged to Olivia Burtschi, mother of Josephine.
In 1961, the owner began taking guests through the downstairs until she could collect enough money to restore the bedchambers. She explained that those residing in the early capital had a culture quite surprising for a wilderness settlement. Unless one studies the refined atmosphere at the teas, cotillions, receptions, and in the letters, one fails to realize the culture. James William Berry's oils on canvas pictorially document the bearing and dignity of these men and women, the fashionable dress, and rich accouterments. And in what other frontier settlement could be heard the music of Beethoven, Handel, and Mozart, rendered by accomplished performers. Indeed James Hall, a scholar and gentleman, found the atmosphere conductive to literary activity. Educated men of the capital warmly supported Hall's efforts in the field of literature. Abraham Lincoln, who served as a legislator, learned from the Eastern lawyers who came to Vandalia. All three men have memorabilia exhibited in the Little Brick House.
In 1974, the building was placed on the National Register of Historic Sites. It is now recognized as a literary shrine of the Untied States since books have been written here. Built some time between 1840-1860, it is conceded to be one of the finest examples of the simple Italianate style of architecture in the Untied States. Guests and students come to study the house, original brick walkways, front, side, and back, and the early construction.
Visitors from all over the world have found the house to be a rewarding experience. Colleges, secondary and elementary school, historical societies, civic organizations, and those interested in the pioneer period (1820-1839) continue to tour the Little Brick House. Books on early Illinois history and the only modern edition of James Hall's short stories are available in the house. Visitors have been richly rewarded for their effort to see the house.
The above story was written by Mary Burtschi for the Vandalia Remembered 175th Celebration Book
The home is open by appointment. Telephone 618-283-0024.
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