Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum
The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum are located in downtown Springfield. The library houses the
largest collection of Lincoln papers and memorabilia in existence and attracts Lincoln scholars and
researchers from all over the world. The museum and interpretive center has theatres, displays, and
interactive exhibits, including a high-tech Holovision Theatre. One of five original copies of the
Gettysburg Address, Lincoln’s stovepipe hat and leather briefcase are on display here. Visitors will
be able to experience the life and work of Abraham Lincoln from the log cabin to the White House.
Adult admission to the museum is $12.00. 212 N. 6th St.
Hours are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Ticket sales end at 4 p.m. Closed New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas. (217) 558-8844 www.presidentlincoln.org
Photo courtesy of Springfield Visitors and Convention Bureau
Lincoln Home National Historic Site
This historic four-square block neighborhood is administered by the National Park Service.
The Lincoln family resided here for seventeen years from 1844 to 1861. Tours of the only home
Abraham Lincoln ever owned are conducted by park rangers. Free admission tickets are required and may be obtained at the
Lincoln Home Visitor Center daily on a first-come, first-served basis. 7th and Jackson St. Hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
Closed New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas. (217) 492-4241
www.nps.gov/liho/index.htm
Photo courtesy of Springfield Visitors and Convention Bureau
Lincoln's New Salem
Located 20 miles northwest of Springfield on Route 97. Abraham Lincoln grew to “a man of purpose and destiny” during the
six years he lived in New Salem from 1831 to 1837. While there, he was a clerk in the general store, enlisted in the
Blackhawk War, served as postmaster and deputy surveyor, studied law and was elected to the state legislature. Step back in
time 180 years to the reconstructed historic village of log cabins, shops, and stores where living history comes alive. Costumed interpreters portray the people who lived and worked here and demonstrate pioneer life in the 1830’s. Hours: March 1 through April 15, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed on Monday and Tuesday. April 16 through September 15, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. September 16 through October 31, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed on Monday and Tuesday. November 1 through February 28, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., closed on Monday and Tuesday. Suggested donation. (217) 632-4000
www.lincolnsnewsalem.com
Photo courtesy of Springfield Visitors and Convention Bureau
Lincoln Tomb
Located in Oak Ridge Cemetery (within walking distance from the Rippon-Kinsella House), this is the final resting place for
Abraham Lincoln, Mary Todd Lincoln and their sons Tad, Willie and Eddie. Their oldest son Robert is buried in Arlington
National Cemetery. The monument was designed by Larkin Mead and completed in 1874. There is a special flag-lowering ceremony held every Tuesday evening at 7 p.m. during the summer by Civil
War reenactment soldiers of the 114th Illinois Regiment. The flag is then given to one of the visitors. Hours: March through April, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed on Sunday and Monday.
May 1 through Labor Day, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Labor Day through October, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed on Sunday and Monday. November through February, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., closed on Sunday and Monday. No admission charge.
(217) 782-2717 www.illinoishistory.gov/hs/lincoln_tomb.htm Photo courtesy of Springfield Visitors and Convention Bureau
Illinois State Capitol
Located at 2nd and Capitol. The first legislative session was held in the new state capitol in 1877. View the statues of
former governors, senators, and representatives, and gaze upward at the magnificent stained glass in the dome of the rotunda.
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Closed major holidays. No admission charge. Call (217) 782-2099 for more information.
Old State Capitol
"...A house divided against itself cannot stand." These immortal words were spoken by Abraham Lincoln in the House of Representatives in the historic State Capitol in the days
before the Civil War. This important building in Illinois history has been restored and decorated with period furniture in
the House and Senate chambers, the Supreme Court and offices of Illinois officials. Lincoln served as a legislator in this
building from 1837 to 1838. Hours: March through October - 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; November through February – 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Closed Sundays, Mondays, and major holidays. Suggested donation. Call (217) 785-7960 for more information.
Dana-Thomas House
Located at 4th and Lawrence. It was 1902 in Springfield when local socialite and activist Susan Lawrence Dana hired a rising
young architect from Chicago to remodel her family home. He was only 33 years old and was told to spare no expense. The result
is one of Frank Lloyd Wright’s finest Prairie-Style homes, complete with original furniture, art glass doors, windows and light
fixtures. The rich history and architectural significance of this meticulously restored residence will be an unforgettable part
of your tour of historic Springfield. Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Closed Mondays, Tuesdays, and major holidays. Suggested donation.
Executive Mansion
Located at 4th and Jackson. The Executive Mansion is the home of the Governor of Illinois and was home to seven U.S. presidents.
Three floors are open to the public. Tours of the mansion include four formal parlors, the state dining room, the ballroom, four
bedrooms including the Lincoln bedroom, and the library which has floor to ceiling handcrafted beveled wooden panels made from
native American Black Walnut. Hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays – 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Free admission.
Call (217) 782-6450 for more information.
Lincoln-Herndon Law Offices
Located at 6th and Adams. Abraham Lincoln's law practice was in this office above Seth Tinsley’s Drygoods Store from 1843 to 1853.
It was an ideal location for the young lawyer’s growing practice, near the State Capitol and Springfield’s finest hotel, and
just above the post office and Federal courtroom. Stephen Logan was Lincoln’s partner from 1843 to 1844, and William Herndon
was his partner from 1844 to 1865. It is said that Lincoln would lie on the floor and watch the court proceedings in the courtroom below through a hole in the floor. The building has been restored to its 1840’s appearance, complete with period furniture.
Hours: March through October – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; November through February – 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Closed Sundays, Mondays, and
major holidays. Call (217)785-7289 for more information.
Camp Butler National Cemetery
Located on Camp Butler Road on I-72 East of Springfield. Camp Butler was once the site of a Union Civil War training camp and
Confederate prison. It is now a national cemetery for veterans. Hours: Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Closed major holidays. Call (217) 492-4070 for more information.
Illinois Korean War Memorial
Located in Oak Ridge Cemetery and dedicated in 1996, the Illinois Korean War Memorial was built for the Illinois Veterans who
fought in the Korean War. The names of 1,752 Illinois soldiers killed in action are engraved on the octagon granite walls.
World War II Illinois Veterans Memorial
Located in Oak Ridge Cemetery, the memorial has a 22-ton concrete globe symbolizing the conflict that involved more than 200
countries. Two black granite walls are inscribed with details of battles waged during the war. The memorial honors the 987,000
Illinoisans who served our country during World War II.
Illinois Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Located in Oak Ridge Cemetery, the granite monument and eternal flame honor the 3,000 Illinois Vietnam veterans who died or are
still missing. The walls are often surrounded by memorabilia left by family and friends of those remembered.
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