Steve and Carmela drove from Pearl River, NY to visit family and stopped at Vrooman Mansion Bed & Breakfast in Bloomington, Illinois along the way. They stayed in the luxurious 2 room Letitia’s Suite on the 2nd floor which has an adjoining private sitting room, and private bath with a walk-in shower.  

In their words, “…our first stay at a B&B and we absolutely loved this experience! This home has such amazing charm and beauty.”

Read more about Steve & Carmela’s experience, then book your road trip or finalize your anniversary plans with an intimate historic experience off of Route 66 at the center.  

Choose to stay in a mansion. 

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Guest Review from Steve & Carmela of New York

August 2021

This was our first stay at a B&B and we absolutely loved this experience! This home has such amazing charm and beauty. The staff and service just wonderful!

If we travel through here to visit family again- Vrooman is our 1st stop.

Special thanks to Pam and Dana for their amazing hospitality! Cheers to future success!

Steve & Carmela, Pearl River, NY

The Ideal Route 66 Roadtrip Stop

Route 66 begins in Chicago and stretches all the way through to California. What many don’t realize is that Bloomington is the perfect place to book local lodging and spend the night.

Though other mansions in Illinois can be toured, you can stay with us at Vrooman Mansion, Bloomington’s only bed and breakfast. We were built in 1869 and offers 7 gorgeous suites all furnished with period pieces, and have private bathrooms. Have a chat with our friendly staff to learn more about the history of the mansion and the Lincoln Oak.

At the cross roads of multiple major roadways like I-55, I-74, and Route 51 (with I-57 & I-72 nearby), for many who don’t want to drive up to Chicago to start their Route 66 journey we’re the perfect beginning point. With abundant history and culture (minus all the city traffic), you can start your journey here.

We’ve put together an Illinois itinerary for some of the nearby towns to get you started and even more Route 66 tips about what you should visit while you’re in the area.n

The McLean County Museum of History is also a must-see and home to the Cruisin’ with Lincoln Route 66 Visitor’s Center where you can share a bench with Honest Abe for the perfect photo opp.

Staying in Letitia’s 2 Room Suite

Located on the second floor of Vrooman Mansion, Letitia’s Suite is a true gem that boasts historic luxury. As you walk down the hallway, you will find this exquisite two-room suite that features a queen-sized bed, a beautiful antique dresser, and stunning purple accents that create a cozy and elegant atmosphere.

From the moment you step into this suite, you will feel transported to another time and place. The adjacent sitting room is reserved exclusively for Letitia’s Suite guests and offers a queen-size pull-out couch and a television inside the armoire. This provides the perfect space for those who are traveling with an additional guest or simply want more space to themselves.

However, the true highlight of Letitia’s Suite is the luxurious walk-in shower that features multiple shower heads and gorgeous tile. Each suite in the mansion has its own unique bathroom setup, but Letitia’s Suite is truly exceptional. Make sure to take a look at the details online before you book, so you can choose the suite that best suits your personal preferences and tastes while traveling

View more images from Letitia’s Suite, sitting room and private bath.

Who was Letitia?

The mansion was once owned by Julia and Scott Green. The Greens had a daughter named Julia who later married Carl Vrooman, which is how the mansion got its namesake.

Julia Scott also had a sister named Letitia, which this suite is named after. But who was Letitia Green Stevenson?

• She was the 2nd Lady of the United States! Letitia Green married Adlai Stevenson I who was the 23rd Vice President of the United States alongside Grover Cleveland.
• President General of the National Society of the Daughters of the America Revolution (DAR) in 1893.
• Letitia was a direct decent from the family of George Washington on both sides. Her great-grandfather was James Speed, a captain in the Revolutionary War.
• She organized a Bloomington chapter of the Army and Navy League and was its first president. She was the first president of the Bloomington’s Women’s Club formed in 1897, a position which she held for four years.

Learn more about Letitia from this biography written by the McLean County Museum of History.

Gourmet Bed & Breakfast Accommodations

Off of Route 66 in central Illinois you’ll find our bed and breakfast built in 1869 with the character to fuel new memories and the modern amenities every guest needs to be comfortable.

Enjoy free WiFi, gourmet included breakfast, endlessly available free coffee and tea, and free snacks in any of our 7 luxury suites with private bathrooms (some with antique tubs and others with walk-in showers). View all of the rooms and find the one that best fits your needs and personality.

Then book your road trip or finalize your anniversary plans with an intimate historic experience off of Route 66 at the center.

Choose to stay in a mansion.