Attendance at the David Davis Mansion in Bloomington fell by nearly 3,000 people last year. The State Historic Preservation Agency has released figures showing the site drew 56,631 visitors in 2015. That's a decline of nearly 5%.
The drop is less than the state average decline of about 7% among the 30 state run historical museums and sites. The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum saw an increase thanks to the sesquicentennial of the Lincoln Assassination. Excluding the Library, the statewide average drop in attendance was 9%.
State officials say the decline is largely from shorter operating hours caused by the state budget crisis. Development experts also note the reduction in hours runs counter to the goal of Governor Bruce Rauner to boost economic activity.the Governor's office notes the hours cuts began under the administration of former Governor Pat Quinn.
