Springfield➤
I flew into Saint Louis for the National Park Traveler’s club annual meeting. A club member decided to host a pre-convention meet-up in Springfield, Illinois at the Lincoln Home. Springfield is the State Capital and is also home to the Dana-Thomas House National Historic Landmark.
I drove the two hours from St. Louis and arrived early enough to tour the Dana-Thomas house before heading up to the Lincoln Home National Historic Site. I watched the park’s film, toured the home with a volunteer, walked Mr. Lincoln’s Neighborhood and visited his tomb.
Lincoln Home➤
Lincoln Home National Historic Site preserves the home and historic district where Abraham Lincoln lived from 1844 to 1861, before becoming the 16th president of the United States. The presidential memorial includes the four blocks surrounding the home.
I arrived at the visitor center early for our meet-up, sponsored by Dave and Loretta from the National Park Traveler’s Club. Lori volunteers at the park and led the 1PM tour of the home. Before taking the tour of the home, I watched “A Journey To Greatness.” This film follows Lincoln from his life as a Springfield lawyer to president of the United States.
In 1837, Lincoln moved from New Salem to Springfield at the start of his law career. He met his wife, Mary Todd, at her sister’s home in Springfield and married there in 1842. Abraham and Mary bought the historic-site house at 413 South Eighth Street in 1844. It was the only home that Lincoln ever owned.
The Lincolns welcomed three of their children there and one, Eddie, died there. The house contains twelve rooms spread over two floors. Lori’s guided tour of the home gave us a glimpse of the family’s life over the 17 years they lived there, and Abraham’s rise to the presidency.
Springfield Posts➤
- Dana-Thomas
- Lincoln Home
- Lincoln Neighborhood
- Lincoln Tomb
Location: 301 E Lawrence Ave, Springfield, IL
Designation: National Historic Landmark, State Historic Site
Date designated/established: January 7, 1976 NHL
Date of my visit: July 13, 2022
In this introductory episode of “At Home With The Lincolns”, you can virtually tour the historic home.
I’m a huge Lincoln fan and this was one of my favorite trips! Thank you for sharing!
Thanks for reading and commenting! I’m definitely a fan after visiting Springfield 😃
It’s my pleasure!! Me too! 😁
Such a great site and interesting history. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for reading and commenting 😃
Hi Theresa,
I’ve bookmarked these two sites in Springfield, IL along with Abe’s cabin in “Lincoln’s New Salem State Historic Site” about 20 miles distant. I am currently planning a 2024 road trip and this will be on the return leg. Thanks for highlighting these venues so beautifully. This politician, who never lost sight of his moral/ethical compass, is a hero of mine. Stewart
Mine as well. We could use more leaders like him. While in Springfield, also make plans to visit the tomb. It’s a state memorial.
I’ve been there!! 🙂
That looks like a beautiful home, and so large! I have to put that on my to-see list.
Yes, it is large for the times and considering Abe’s humble beginnings. The preservation of the neighborhood and ranger interpretation make this a wonderful site to visit
Thanks for the tour, T. Lincoln once represented ancestors of mine in a lawsuit. 🙂
On another note, since Peggy and I spend so much time visiting National Parks, what can you tell me about the National Park Traveler’s club? –Curt
Oh sorry I missed this question, Curt. Go to parkstamps.org. the club evolved over 20 years ago from people who collect passport stamps. They now have over 2k members. Many are there for the stamp database, but there are a lot like me who don’t stamp, appreciate the park unit checklist and the collective park knowledge of the group. There are frequent meetups and an annual convention. Right now I’m touring New England with a road trip buddy. We’ll be attending a meetup at a park today where we’ll watch a reenactment of red coats/ patriots stuff. I wouldn’t have known about the event if not for the club. Membership is $5 a year😃
A lot of people don’t know this but Mary Todd came from a prominent family and whose money helped Lincoln out. She had been a very well educated woman from a good background that was treated like a rube when she went to DC by the other wives. This is one of the reasons why she had so many problems on top of the pressures of the war going on and losing two children. I can see her touches in this home and how she wanted to be seen by society.
Good eye. The dresser visible in the photo of her bedroom is Mary Todd’s original furniture that she brought with her from her family’s home.