The Homestead  (property of the Community of Christ) - it was built in 3 different parts, during different additions.  In the small 2nd floor, the 1st endowments were done.

There were many leaders' homes...we only had a chance to go in a few...below (as stated in the pic above) are pics from Wilford Woodruff's home (property of the Community of Christ).

A lot of the stuff in these homes were not original to the person that lived there, but they were accurate antiques of the era and area of the country.  However, above IS Wilford Woodruff's pair of spectacles.

The beds, doorways, chairs, etc. were all soooo tiny!  I can't imagine sleeping on the beds!

A lavatory chair...

On this bed above is an instrument used to beat dust out of blankets, pillows and mattresses.

A freehand embroidery of what Nauvoo used to look like (it was made at the time of the Saints).

Our guide above was extremely knowledgeable.  It was great that he gave us so much information.  Interesting - he worked for the Community of Christ (formerly the Reorganized Latter Day Saint Church) doing the tours (he was in Nauvoo working on his doctorate) but he is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints!

The graves of Emma Hale Smith, Joseph Smith, Jr., and Hyrum Smith...all on Community of Christ property.  Very intriguing about how many times Joseph Smith's grave was moved because Emma was afraid of grave robbers.  She and only she knew where he was buried most of her life, just about until she was on her death bed, then she revealed the resting place of the prophet to her family.

The sign says:
       "This two-story, two-room log block house was located on the original 135 acres purchased from local farmer Hugh White and may date to 1803.  Joseph Smith moved here in the spring of 1839 with his wife Emma; sons Joseph III, Frederick Granger Williams, and Alexander; and adopted daughter Julia.  With the addition of a large room on the north side of the structure in 1840 this home became, for a time, the center of community life in Nauvoo.  According to Joseph III, "Father's home in Nauvoo was generally overrun with visitors.  There was scarcely a Sunday in ordinary weather that the house and yard were not crowded - the yard with teams and the house with callers."
        In 1858 a two-story addition was added to the west side of the house by Joseph Smith III and he lived here with his family until 1866.  Joseph III served as justice of the peace during part of that time.  While living here he also became president and prophet of the Reorganized Church, a position he held from 1860 to 1914."

The Mansion House (part of the Community of Christ's property)

The sign says:
         "Completed in 1843, the Mansion House was the second Nauvoo residence of Joseph Smith and his wife Emma.  A hotel wing was added and opened in late 1843.  The hotel was leased to Ebenezer Robinson in January 1844.  As part of the lease agreement, the Smith family maintained three rooms for their private residence.
          Internal confusion and conflicts with surrounding communities grew as Nauvoo increased in size.  Joseph traveled to Carthage, Illinois to answer charges related to the destruction of the Nauvoo Expositor press.  While in Carthage Joseph and his brother Hyrum were killed by an angry mov on June 27, 1844. Their bodies were returned to the Mansion House where they laid in state until the burial.
          Emma and her family continued to live in the Mansion House for a time, and she remained in Nauvoo until her death on April 30, 1879.  By the 1890's the hotel wing had deteriorated ant it was torn down.  The foundation of the hotel wing can be seen on the east side of the Mansion House."

Lucy Mack Smith, while living in the Mansion House, used to sell tickets to view her 2 prized possessions, 2 mummies to help with cost of living.

This was in the top floor of the Red Brick Store (part of the Community of Christ's property), recreated from the structure Joseph Smith originally built.  His offices were inside and this is where the Relief Society was started.

Brigham Young's home (part of the Community of Christ's property)
The sign says:
         "This home reflects the skill and craftsmanship of Brigham Young, 2nd President of the LDS Church and great American colonizer.  The east wing served as a meeting place for the presiding councils of the church."

Inside The LDS visitor's center they performed all of the shows that normally took place outside due to the extreme heat wave.  The shows were quite fun to watch, and we were grateful to be able to sit in the air conditioning!

On the way back to Chicago - Tim took me to WHITE CASTLE!!!  It was an experience, I'll say that.  I did not like the little steamed, onioned burgers at all - Tim ate about a dozen of them.  Ick....