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The Broadview Mansion will be closed until further notice due to COVID-19.
Immanuel Bible Foundation is always looking for anyone who has any history,
stories or original items to share about the Broadview Mansion.
Please contact Annette Klinzing at 309.452.6710 or immanuelbiblefoundation@yahoo.com
History
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1906
Bird and Margaret Van Leer complete construction of Broadview Mansion.
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1933
Bird Van Leer passes away at age 66.
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1939
Construction completed on bell tower Margaret Van Leer had built to honor her husband. Tower dedicated on Sept. 29, 1940.
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1949
Mrs Van Leer passes away at 79 and endows the property to the Immanuel Bible Foundation (IBF).
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1953
IBF begins the Men’s Lenten Breakfast.
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1979
The 10 bells in the tower are removed and replaced with an audio system, which is currently inactive.
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1994
IBF starts the Women’s Christmas Celebration.
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2013
IBF initiates the Van Leer Legacy Award.
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2016
Through the work of IBF and the Town of Normal, Broadview Mansion is placed on the National Register of Historic Places.
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2016
Immanuel Bible Foundation sponsors Bluegrass & Brass on the Grass and Christmas concerts in the Mansion. And, Broadview Mansion begins hosting Holiday Open Houses.
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2017
A historic bell weighing 2,000 pounds from Second Presbyterian Church, similar to the largest bell that originally hung in the Bell Tower, is installed at the base of the Tower.
