New Salem to Springfield

Beyond the Lincoln Museum are places where Lincoln actually lived. His first home was in what is now New Salem National Historic Site. There is only one original building as the owners carted off everything when the down died and the residents moved on (quite a commitment to recycling). The store Lincoln owned with his partner and his home have been recreated along with most of the other buildings of the original town.

Docents provide excellent history on the town where Lincoln first failed at several careers and then found his calling as an attorney.


After election to the Illinois legislature, Lincoln and his new wife Mary bought a home in Springfield. That homesite, including the original homes of his neighbors, is a National Historic Site also.

On our tour of his home, which was donated to the state by his only surviving son Robert, we saw the Lincoln’s actual furniture while hearing about the lifestyle of an up and coming political figure. This item is a stereoscope (an early version of the ViewMaster) that Lincoln bought as a gift to his sons.

Our appreciation and respect for Lincoln was enriched by all we saw.


The stained glass art of Louis Comfort Tiffany is on display at the First Presbyterian Church where a kind pastor let us in off hours to admire the works. One of the windows, of an angel, was originally in a building for the Chicago World’s Exposition in the 1890s. The family pew of the Lincoln’s is in the entry of the church.

The Lincoln Library is a lovely marble-halled building where we spent a couple hours deep in research assisted by a wonderful librarian (aren’t they all?). This picture was painted by Gilbert Stewart and is deliberately unfinished.



We enjoyed the convenience of the campground at the state fairgrounds.

While we found the town of Springfield rather small and uninspiring, the monuments to Lincoln and his time are outstanding, making the town a highlight of our trip.