Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) –  Soon, the Dana-Thomas House will have something it hasn’t had in 40 years…that new carpet smell.

The Dana-Thomas House Foundation has donated more than $48,000 to the Illinois Conservation Foundation, that will be used to replace rugs — something that might have gone to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources’ “Deferred Maintenance List” otherwise.

“Our entire portfolio, including our state sites…we have over $1 billion deferred maintenance,” said Natalie Phelps Finnie, DNR Director.  “This site is the real, the crown jewel of our portfolio.  Given the billion dollars of deferred maintenance we have, we could not do what we do without the partnerships we have like with the Dana-Thomas House Foundation.”

Because the IDNR can’t fundraise on its own, it relies on the Illinois Conservation Foundation to do that for them — who, in turn, relies on entities like the Dana-Thomas House Foundation.

“This is a powerful example of what can happen when passionate donors come together and work with public entities to accomplish goals,” said Jenny Vaughn, Executive Director, Illinois Conservation Foundation.

The carpet replacement should be complete by the end of summer.

“The carpet has served its 40 year lifetime, and needs some replacement — hopefully, to invite thousands more, tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands, to come visit,” said Tom Ryder, president, Dana-Thomas House Foundation.

Vaughn says carpet wasn’t original to the home — simply because Wright didn’t believe in it, but is necessary for the safety of the 20,000 annual visitors.