Blagojevich closing door on Bryant Cottage's rich history
By Tim Mitchell
Saturday August 30, 2008
John Dixon
Marilyn Ayers, site manager at the Bryant Cottage State Historic Site (exterior at top) in Bement, on Friday holds an 1860 Stephen Douglas campaign ribbon in front of correspondence from 1858 between Abraham Lincoln and Douglas setting up their famous debates. Gov. Rod Blagojevich announced budget cuts Thursday that will close the site in October.
BEMENT – Marilyn Ayers said it broke her heart when she received an e-mail Thursday afternoon informing her that the Bryant Cottage Historic Site was closing its doors on Oct. 1.
After all, Ayers has served as the cottage's site manager since July 1985.
Bryant Cottage, the home where Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas are said to have planned their debates 150 years ago, is one of 13 state historic sites and 11 state parks Gov. Rod Blagojevich is closing as a result of a $2 billion state budget shortfall.
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