Meet the Curators Behind Carpenter Street Hotel's Oddities

At Carpenter Street Hotel Springfield IL, the experience goes beyond plush linens and historic charm it’s the people who bring the magic to life. From a dedicated “Hotel Historian” to a bartender resurrecting pre-Prohibition cocktails, the staff at this boutique hotel turn every stay into a story.

Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at the unusual roles that make Carpenter Hotel Springfield IL one of the most unique stays in Illinois.

1. The Hotel Historian: Springfield’s Time Traveler in Residence

Meet Eleanor Whitmore, the full-time Hotel Historian at Carpenter St Hotel Springfield IL. Unlike typical concierges, Eleanor doesn’t just recommend restaurants she unearths forgotten tales of the building’s past.

Her daily duties include:
✔ Leading “Ghosts of the Vault” tours (sharing stories of the hotel’s Prohibition-era secrets)
✔ Curating rotating exhibits of Springfield’s 1920s artifacts in the lobby
✔ Writing handwritten notes left in guest rooms with historical anecdotes

“A guest once told me they felt like they’d stepped into a living museum,” Eleanor says. “That’s exactly what we want—history you can touch.”

Want to meet her? Join the “History Happy Hour” every Thursday in the lobby.

2. The Night Auditor Who Writes Lincoln-Era Letters

While most night auditors crunch numbers, James Callahan at Carpenter Street Inn Springfield IL crafts handwritten letters in 19th-century style.

How it works:

Guests receive a vintage-style envelope at check-in
Overnight, James pens personalized notes as if from Lincoln’s Springfield
Letters reference real 1860s events or playful fictional tales

“One couple framed their letter it ‘arrived’ from a fictional steamboat captain,” James laughs.

Pro Tip: Request a letter when booking, it’s free for all guests.

3. The Groundskeeper Preserving Lincoln’s Roses

Behind the scenes, Miguel Rodriguez tends to the hotel’s heritage rose garden, featuring heirloom varieties from Mary Todd Lincoln’s time.

Why it matters:
🌹 The “Springfield White” rose (a rare cultivar from 1858) grows here
🌹 Guests can take clippings home as souvenirs
🌹 The garden supplies petals for turndown service in premium suites

“These roses were here before Lincoln left for Washington,” Miguel says. “Now they welcome visitors just like they did then.”

Visit: The garden is open to guests daily at sunrise.

4. The Mixologist Reviving Pre-Prohibition Cocktails

At Carpenter Inn Springfield IL, bartender Darius King isn’t just pouring drinks he’s resurrecting forgotten recipes.

Signature creations:
🍸 “The Rail-Splitter” – A bourbon punch from Lincoln’s 1860 campaign
🍹 “Mary’s Remedy” – A gin-based tonic based on Todd family letters
🥃 “Vault No. 5” – Aged in the hotel’s original bank safe

“I found a ledger from 1923 behind the bar now we use it for inspiration,” Darius says.

Try them: Available only at the Vault Bar (open 4PM–midnight).