Abraham  Lincoln  Presidential  Library  and  Museum
   The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library is 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 $10.00.  212 N. 6th St.                    Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.  Closed New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas.                          For more information call (800) 610-2094 or (217) 782-5764     www.alplm.org

 

 Photo Courtesy of Springfield Visitors and Convention Bureau

 

 

Lincoln  Home  -  Lincoln Home National Historic Site - 8th and Jackson
    This historic four-square block neighborhood is administered by the National Park Service.   It is where the Lincoln family resided for seventeen years from 1844 to 1861.   Tours of the only home Abraham Lincoln ever owned are conducted by park rangers.  Free tickets are required and may be obtained at the Lincoln Home Visitor Center on a daily first-come, first-served basis.  Hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.  The home is closed New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas.  Call (217) 492-4241 ext. 221 for more information.

 

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 through October, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., November through February, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Closed on Mondays, Tuesdays and major holidays.  Suggested donation.  Call (217) 632-4000 for more information.

 

 

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.  There is a special flag-lowering ceremony held each 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 October – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., November through February – 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Closed major holidays.  No admission charge.  Call (217) 782-2717 for more information.

 

 

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 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. 

 

Photo Courtesy of Springfield Visitors and Convention Bureau

 

 

Old  State  Capitol  -  Downtown  Springfield

                                              “…. 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.

 

 

Photo Courtesy of Springfield Visitors and Convention Bureau

 

 

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.

 

 

Photo Courtesy of Springfield Visitors and Convention Bureau

 

 

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 beveled handcrafted 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.

 

 

Photo Courtesy of Springfield Visitors and Convention Bureau

 

 

Lincoln-Herndon  Law  Offices
      Located at 6th and Adams.  Abraham Lincoln practiced law 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.  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.

 

Photo Courtesy of Springfield Visitors and Convention Bureau

 

 

Camp  Butler  National  Cemetery
     Located on Camp Butler Road, 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.

 

 

Photo Courtesy of Springfield Visitors and Convention Bureau

 

 

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.  (Funds are being raised for a Korean War Museum to be built downtown near the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum).

 

 

Photo Courtesy of Springfield Visitors and Convention Bureau

 

  

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.

 

 

Photo Courtesy of Springfield Visitors and Convention Bureau

 

 

 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.

 

 

Photo Courtesy of Springfield Visitors and Convention Bureau

 

Visit the Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau for more information and maps of all the historic sites of Springfield.    http://www.visit-springfieldillinois.com