Ewing Cultural Center
The Ewing Cultural Center sits in the wooded landscape at the northwest corner of Towanda Avenue and Emerson Street in Bloomington, Illinois.
Ewing Cultural Center is a non-smoking facility, both indoors and out of doors. Only service assistance animals are allowed on the property. Garden paths are accessible.
Please note that public restrooms are available only for clients renting Ewing Manor or patrons of the Illinois Shakespeare Festival. No restroom are available for visitors to the Genevieve Green Gardens.
Photography of the Manor, Theatre, and Gardens is allowed. However, any photography that includes one or more persons requires an approved photography permit.
All guest parking is at St. John's Lutheran Church, 1617 E. Emerson Street, Bloomington, IL.
Ewing Manor Tours
Although the Manor is primarily an event venue, group tours may be arranged in advance by contacting the Ewing staff at (309) 829-6333. Requests are granted based on availability. A minimum contribution will be encouraged.
The residential wing of the Manor is open to the public for walk-in tours at 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m. on the third Wednesdays of each month. Reservations are not required, but are requested for groups of 8 or more. There is no charge but contributions are encouraged. Please note there are stairs to enter the Manor and the tour includes visiting three levels which are accessable only by stairs. Guests should park in the St. John's Lutheran Church parking lot and enter the Manor on the lower level on north side of the building. Tours are guided by docents and will last approximately 45 minutes.
Genevieve Green Gardens Pathways
The gardens are open to the public daily from 8 am until dusk, weather permitting. There is no fee to enter the gardens but contribtuions are encouraged in the donation box under the archway between the garage and Manor.
Ewing Cultural Center, including the Genevieve Green Gardens, is privately owned and is not a public park. Recreational games, such as frisbee and kites, as well as sleds, skateboards, scooters, bikes, and roller blades are not allowed on the property. Bicyclists must walk their bikes upon arrival at the site; they may not be ridden on the pathways or any other area of Ewing.
Stay on the pathways and turf areas. Please do not walk in any planted, mulched or wooded area for any reason; even if plant material is not visible, it is underground and can be damaged if walked upon. Stepping between the plants compacts the soil, turning it into a hard substance that repels water and kills roots.
Climbing on trees, fountains, furniture or other garden or Manor features is not allowed. Enjoy the flowers without touching, picking,or disturbing.
The Theatre at Ewing is owned and operated by the Illinois State University Foundation and is the summer home of the Illinois Shakespeare Festival. It is also available for rental to organizations for educational and cultural presentations and performances.
The $2 million structure was completed in 2000, and was funded with private support.. Designed to be architecturally compatible with Ewing Manor, the theatre's limestone façade, half-timber detailing, and wrought iron elements echo various features found in the nearby manor house, which was built in 1929.
Thank you to the Illinois Shakespeare Festival 2011 company for a great season! And, thank you to the patrons who enjoyed an evening of fabulous theatre with the beautiful Genevieve Green Gardens and Ewing Manor as the backdrop. We look forward to the 2012 season, opening in late June.
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