Lincoln In Illinois
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Vandalia’s Old Statehouse served as Illinois’ state house for three years. This two-story Federal style building was built in 1836 and housed all three branches of the state government. After the last session of the Illinois General Assembly closed on March 4, 1839, the capital was moved to Springfield. The move to Springfield was something that Congressman Abraham Lincoln lobbied for. The State of Illinois purchased the statehouse and the building underwent major renovations during the 1930's and 1940's and has been completely restored to appear as it did during Lincoln’s time. Today the site is managed by the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency. Call (618) 283-1161 for additional information.
The Macon County Museum
focuses on Macon County history with hundreds of local artifacts. The
museum offers a look at a historic prairie village on the museum grounds.
The village buildings include Macon County’s first courthouse where
Abraham Lincoln practiced law, a schoolhouse, a railroad depot, a 1890's
Victorian farmhouse, and a log cabin home. The museum is located at 5580
North Fork Road. For specific information call (217) 422-4919.
Built in 1844 by Thomas Beard, founder of Beardstown, Lincoln
Courthouse & Museum is the only courthouse still in use where
Abraham Lincoln once practiced law. The courthouse served as the Cass
County Courthouse for nearly 30 years before Virginia became the county
seat. During those 30 years, the most famous case to be tried there is
undoubtedly the Almanac Trial where Lincoln successfully defended 24-year-old
William “Duff” Armstrong against murder charges. Lincoln used
a 1857 almanac to prove that there was no moonlight for the witness to
have seen Armstrong kill a man. The courthouse is also home to the Black
Museum that includes a collection of guns representing nearly
every period in American history, a display of arrowheads, and Native
American artifacts.
The “Old Main” building on the Knox College campus is the only site to remain as it appeared during the Lincoln-Douglas Debates of 1858. On October 7, 1858, an estimated crowd of 20,000 people attended the debate held on the Knox College campus. For this reason the “Old Main” building is a registered national landmark. Visit http://www.knox.edu/ for more information about Knox College.
The Vermilion County Museum is just the place to learn more about Abraham Lincoln’s connection to Danville. The museum is housed in the Fithian House, a two-story brick Victorian style home, built in 1855 by William Fithian, a personal friend of Abraham Lincoln. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, in 1858 Abraham Lincoln gave a speech from the south balcony and the actual bed in which Lincoln slept is on display. The home has been restored and is furnished with original period pieces. The museum is located at 116 North Gilbert. For further information call (217) 442-2922.
Built in 1855, the De Soto House was a grand hotel that mirrored the economic prosperity Galena was experiencing at the time. It was undoubtedly the center for most of Galena’s social and political activities. Its historical significance can be attributed to many important guests. In 1856, Abraham Lincoln spoke from the balcony in support of the Republican presidential candidate, John Fremont. In 1858, Stephen A. Douglas campaigned at the De Soto House during his bid for the senate nomination. In September 1860 the Republicans held a party at De Soto House in support of Abraham Lincoln’s presidential campaign which he attended. Finally, De Soto House was home to Ulysses Grant’s presidential campaign headquarters in 1868. The hotel underwent major renovations in the 1980's and now offers overnight accommodations and dining. The De Soto House Hotel is located at 230 South Main Street. For more information call (800) 343-6562.
The Lincoln Trail Homestead State Memorial is located just 10 miles west of Decatur. This 162-acre memorial commemorates Lincoln’s life in Illinois. It is the site where Abraham Lincoln and his family built their first Illinois home in 1830 after moving from Indiana. Visitors can fish, hike, and picnic here. For more details call (217) 864-3121.
The Metamora Courthouse was built in 1845 and is one of two remaining court buildings on the old 8th Judicial Circuit that Abraham Lincoln worked. The courtroom has been restored to appear as it did when Lincoln argued cases. The courthouse museum offers exhibits that portray circuit life in the mid 1800's. The Metamora Courthouse is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is located at 113 Partridge in Metamora. Call (217) 367-4470 for more information.
Mt. Pulaski Courthouse is a Greek Revival that was constructed in 1848. It’s also one of the two original 8th Judicial Circuit Courthouses in which Abraham Lincoln practiced law. The courthouse is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and has been restored to its original 1850's appearance. Mt Pulaski Courthouse is located at 113 South Washington in Mt Pulaski. For more information call (217) 732-8930.
The Lincoln-Douglas Debate Museum in Charleston retraces the 1858 debates between Stephen Douglas and Abraham Lincoln. The museum is also the site where a crowd of 12,000 gathered to hear the fourth Lincoln-Douglas debate on September 18, 1858. Exhibits, interactive displays, and the children’s area help to tell the story of the historic debates. For details call (217) 348-0430.
The Abraham Lincoln Long Nine Museum in Athens is located in the building that the “Long Nine” were honored at a banquet in 1836. The “Long Nine” refers to Abraham Lincoln and eight other Sangamon County legislators, all of which were taller than 6 feet. All nine campaigned for the Capitol to move from Vandalia to Springfield in 1939. Because of the successful campaigning, the grateful citizens of Athens held a banquet to honor their “Long Nine.” In 1972 restorations began on the building at 200 South Main Street that held the banquet. The second floor contains the Long Nine Museum. Call (217) 636-8755 for more details.
The Lincoln Log Cabin
Historic Site, eight miles south of Charleston, is an 86-acre
site with a reconstructed log cabin and a living history farm. The Lincoln
Log Cabin is the last home of Thomas and Sarah Bush Lincoln, Abraham Lincoln’s
father and stepmother. The site offers a portrait of 19th century pioneer
life and a glimpse of the Lincoln Family. Interpreters perform daily chores
at the farm’s garden, orchard, and barn. For details call (217)
345-6489.
New Salem State Historic
Site, 20 miles northwest of Springfield, is a reconstructed
19th century village. More than half a million people visit New Salem
each year to see the village where Abraham Lincoln lived as a young man.
From 1831 to 1837 Lincoln lived in New Salem and earned a living as a
clerk, postmaster, and surveyor. He was also elected to the state legislature
while residing in New Salem. The village contains a dozen log cabins,
workshops, mills, shops, and a school. All the buildings have been reproduced
and are filled with period furnishings. Costumed interpreters help history
come to life with their demonstrations and interpretations. Call (217)
632-4000 for more information.
Bloomington’s David Davis Mansion is a 15-room Victorian home built in 1872 for U.S. Supreme Court Justice, David Davis. Davis, a noted lawyer, politician, and judge, was a personal friend of Abraham Lincoln. The two met on the 8th Judicial Circuit where Davis was a judge and Lincoln, a lawyer. In 1862 Lincoln appointed his longtime colleague to the United States Supreme Court. The mansion has been completely restored with original furnishings and is located at 100 East Monroe Street. Call (309) 828-1084 for additional information.
The Postville Courthouse State Historic Site contains a replica of the original 1840's Postville Courthouse. This courthouse was the former Logan County seat from 1840-1848. Abraham Lincoln, while riding the 8th Judicial Circuit, visited the courthouse twice a year. The courthouse is located at 914 Fifth Street in Lincoln, Illinois. For details call (217) 732-8930.
Lincoln is also home to the Lincoln College Museum. The museum houses a sizeable collection of Lincoln artifacts and memorabilia. The museum also honors all United States presidents from past to present. The Lincoln College Museum is located at 300 Keokuk Street. For more information call (217) 732-3155.
The Lincoln Douglas Debate Square in Freeport memorializes the second Lincoln Douglas debate site on the corner of Douglas and State Streets. In 1903 President Theodore Roosevelt dedicated the site with a boulder and plaque. In 1992 bronze statues that recreate the debate were added to the site.
The seventh and final debate between Lincoln and Douglas was held on October 15, 1858, in front of the Alton City Hall at Broadway and Market Streets. Today, this historic event is remembered with full-size bronze replicas of the debaters in the Lincoln Douglas Square. More than 6,000 people gathered there to view the debate which lasted more than three hours. Douglas went on to win the election becoming an Illinois senator in the United States Senate.