Lincoln's Home, Springfield, IL

Lincoln's Home in Springfield

We made about 300 miles through Missouri and Illinois, passing another fascinating museum that we’ve done previously, the WinstonChurchill Museum in Fulton, Missouri. Our goal this time was to visit Lincoln’s home in downtown Springfield. He bought a 3-room house soon after he was married and over time expanded the house, building a second story on top with 5 bedrooms. This is the one and only home he owned and for the time, it was impressive with a huge parlor and sitting room. Because he left from this home to become president, most of the furnishings were stored for him to come back to, which of course never happened. His son Edward donated the house and the belongings to the State of Illinois, so many of the original furnishings are in the home. Currently run by the NPS, the street in front of the house has been restored to what it would have looked like in 1860 and the exterior of the house matches the photos of the time. The guides do a great job of telling you the story of Lincoln’s rise in Springfield as an impressive lawyer and then as a strong proponent of emancipation for the slaves. On our previous visit to Springfield, we went to the Lincoln Library and Museum which is quite modern and is entertaining even for children.  We’re staying at the Springfield KOA, which is deep in the woods outside Springfield, our most quiet campground of the trip.

Lincoln Parlor with original furnishings