Springfield Loves Abe Lincoln

Whether you’re about to take a trip to Springfield, Illinois, or if you’re simply curious about what the state capital has to offer, there is no denying the appeal of this often-overlooked gem. Springfield is best known for being the home of the 16th president of the United States, the infamous Abraham Lincoln. There are an array of fun and interesting things to see and do in Springfield, many of which are focused on the man himself and his fascinating life. What are you waiting for? It’s time you learned more about Abraham Lincoln – and there is no better place to do so than in Springfield.

Here are all the different things to do in Springfield that will ensure you learn everything you need to know about the history of this wonderful city, and all about Abe Lincoln himself.

Photo via Flickr by dave_7

Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum

Carefully designed with accurate historical detail, you don’t want to miss the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum. This attraction includes well-preserved artifacts which help tell the life story of the 16th president, as well as interactive exhibits and displays, multimedia programs, and a reproduction of the White House exactly as it looked back in 1861. The museum also features an exhibit titled Mrs. Lincoln’s Attic, in which children can try on clothing from that era, play with a model of Abraham Lincoln’s home, and take advantage of the historic toy reproductions.

Visitors can also enjoy the theaters and their special effects and hologram shows. You can watch the 1860 Presidential Election as if you were transported back in time, and marvel at items such as an original handwritten copy of the Gettysburg Address, the pen used to sign the Emancipation Proclamation, and even the real gloves that were in Abraham Lincoln’s pocket on the night he was assassinated.

Lincoln Home

Now a national historical site, you can visit the Lincoln Home, where Abraham Lincoln lived with Mary Todd Lincoln for 17 years until he left in 1861 to move to the White House and serve as the president of the United States. The site has been restored to match exactly how it looked in 1860, and reveals a lot about Lincoln and his family life prior to becoming president. Tours of the house are conducted entirely by National Park Service Rangers. If you really want to get to know Abraham Lincoln and learn about who he really was as a person, visiting the Lincoln Home is a must.

Edwards Place

Not far from the Presidential Museum is Edwards Place, another fantastic spot to learn more about Abraham Lincoln’s Springfield. Built in 1833 and remodeled in 1857, Edwards Place is the oldest house in Springfield on its original foundation. It was home to the attorney Benjamin Edwards who was also the brother-in-law of Mary Lincoln’s sister, Elizabeth. Here, several politicians and other important figures in the 19th century attended dinner parties, summer picnics, and political rallies.

Visitors to this attraction can see the “courting couch” where Abraham and Mary sat during the early days of their relationship, and even the piano that is said to have been played at their wedding. The home is designed throughout to appear as it did in 1857, and furnished with a wide variety of original Victorian furniture, including several pieces that belonged to the Edwards family themselves. 

Lincoln’s New Salem

About a half-hour drive from Springfield city center is the Lincoln’s New Salem attraction, which is essentially a reconstructed New Salem, the village where Abraham Lincoln lived when he was a young man. Here, you can see where he split rails, served as a shop clerk, and worked as a postmaster, among other jobs that eventually led him to becoming the 16th president of the United States. New Salem is an interactive and immersive attraction, taking you back in time and letting you engage with the costumed characters of those who lived there over 150 years ago.

Old State Capitol

The Old State Capitol is a reconstruction of the Illinois State House from 1840 to 1876. It was restored back to its former glory during the civil rights movement of the twentieth century. Here, President Abraham Lincoln delivered his famous “A house divided against itself cannot stand” speech in the days leading up to the Civil War. He also tried hundreds of cases in the Supreme Court, frequented the state library, and met with other politicians and lawyers in the law library here.

Abraham Lincoln’s body lay in state in the Representatives Hall as a crowd of around 75,000 people visited to pay their final respects to the late president. It is reported that the clock on the wall in the Hall of Representatives stays frozen at the time 7:22, which is the exact time that Lincoln was assassinated.

Lincoln Tomb

Springfield is also home to Lincoln Tomb, the impressive granite monument which is the final resting place of Abraham Lincoln himself, his wife Mary, and three of the couple’s four sons. Their oldest son, Robert, is buried in Arlington National Cemetery. Situated in Oak Ridge Cemetery, the monument was designed by the famous sculptor Larkin Mead and finished in 1874. The entrance to the Tomb is home to a bronze bust of Abraham Lincoln where visitors stop to rub the nose for good luck. Whether you’re visiting Springfield to see the best Lincoln monuments or not, this one is absolutely worth a visit.

So, there you have it. United Chevrolet Buick GMC has just informed you of the very best spots related to Abraham Lincoln to visit in Springfield. This city is a fantastic place to visit, boasting a rich and vibrant history and tons of intriguing attractions to enjoy. We hope you enjoyed reading about each Abraham Lincoln attraction on our list. Did you find our list satisfactory? If you think we might have missed something and know of any other Springfield venues we might like to add, feel free to contact us with your suggestions.