On April 21, 2023, we drove to Springfield, Illinois, to tick off another presidential museum: Abraham Lincoln’s.

Abraham Lincoln Museum

What can be said about Honest Abe that has not already been said, portrayed, or written? School history lessons, books, stage productions, television programs, and movies have all dealt with the man whose presidency consistently rates in the top three of all presidents.

When I saw Abe and his family standing in the center of the plaza posing with visitors, I knew this museum didn’t follow the standard National Archives and Records Administration (NARRA) specifications for presidential libraries. In fact, the museum is operated by an agency of the State of Illinois and the Lincoln Library also contains the Illinois State historical collections.

The museum opened on April 19, 2005, generating around $1 million in its first six months with a steady increase in visitation each year. The museum also sparked debate over the design of the exhibits and how history is presented, which did not follow the standard used by most museums at the time.

The multi-media exhibits with a Disneyesque feel are what may have caused both the criticism and the museum’s popularity, especially after Steven Spielberg’s movie Lincoln premiered on October 8, 2012, at the New York Film Festival.

The set decorations and expressions on the mannequins dressed in 1800s attire, the hologram theater presentation, and the depiction of the assassination were like entering Abe Land at a Disney Amusement Park.

We started our tour at Journey 1 where we found exhibits and dioramas of Abe’s boyhood in a Kentucky cabin and ended with his campaign for president in 1860.

Journey 2 covers his presidency, the Civil War period, his and the country’s struggle with slavery, personal loss, and his assassination on April 14, 1865.

Other exhibits included the Treasures Gallery where artifacts from President Lincoln, his family, and the Civil War were displayed.

At the Union Theater, we watched Lincoln’s Eyes, a look at Lincoln’s life and legacy.

In the Holavision ® Theater, we watched a hologram presentation about research libraries and their importance to society.

Various temporary exhibits are also included throughout the year.

Lincoln Home National Historic Site

Within walking distance of the museum is the National Historic Site of Lincoln’s home and neighborhood, operated by the National Park Service. Take a tour in person, or click the link on the NPS website for a virtual tour of the home. Here are a few photos I took.

Then walk the neighborhood as Abe or Mary might have and learn about some of the neighbors who lived there. Some of the homes are open with exhibits inside.

A few lots down the street from the Lincoln home is an empty lot, which is part of the National Park Service National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom. It was where Jameson Jenkins, a free person of color, lived. It is documented that Mr. Jenkins successfully transported escaped slaves north to Bloomington, Illinois, on January 16, 1850.

Old Illinois State Capitol Building

Across the street from the Lincoln Museum is the Old State Capitol Historic Site. The Greek Revival style building was constructed during 1837 and 1840 and served as the state house from 1840 to 1876. Unfortunately, the historic site was, and still is, undergoing a $15 million renovation project.

Current Illinois State Capitol Building

We only had time to take photos outside of the current state capitol building during our visit. Guided tours are available to visit the building which was constructed over twenty years beginning 1868 at a total cost of $4.5 million.

Lincoln Tomb at Oak Ridge Cemetery in Springfield

Mount Rushmore’s sculptor, Gutzon Borglum, sculpted the larger-than-life bust of Lincoln on the plaza outside of the tomb. In his hand is a copy of the Emancipation Proclamation allowing African-American soldiers in the Union Army.

The obelisk, an Ancient Egyptian symbol for leadership, is a fitting tribute to a man who is honored and respected by so many people.

The bronze statues on each of the four corners honor soldiers during the Civil War Infantry, Artillery, Cavalry, and Navy. A chain of unbroken links lists the initials of each state in the union.

Notice how shiny the nose is on the bust below. Some people believe rubbing Abe’s nose will bring good luck. And yes. Of course, I rubbed his nose, followed by squirts of hand sanitizer. I could not resist. Who doesn’t want a bit of luck in their lives?

Inside the tomb are several bronze statues of Lincoln depicting the various stages and roles of Lincoln during his professional life. The hallways conclude at the burial chamber, the final resting place of Abraham Lincoln, Mary, and three of their four sons.

For people unable to visit the tomb, there is a YouTube virtual tour online here.

A close up Pink flowering Dogwood tree in bloom at Abe’s gravesite

After our visit, I came to the conclusion that I liked how the museum presented the information. It made history come alive, especially the exhibit of the children playing in Abe’s office, the assassination portrayal, and the slave auction scene. It also made history less academic and accessible to more people through the multi-media stories told.

Next Up: Linn Creek near Lake of the Ozarks

Safe Travels