Tag: National Historic Site

Lincoln’s Neighborhood: Lincoln Home NHS

On By nationalparkswithtIn Illinois1 Comment

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’s Neighborhood and 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.

Mr. Lincoln’s Neighborhood➤

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.. You can watch the 23-minute film at the bottom of this post.

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.

Along with the Lincoln Home, the Historic Site preserves several other structures within the four-block area. The NPS restored the homes to their appearance during the time Lincoln lived in the neighborhood. After the Lincoln Home tour, I visited the Dean House and the Arnold House to view the exhibits on Lincoln’s Neighborhood. Samuel Rosenwald, president of Sears Roebuck and Company, owned the Lyon House in the 1860’s. The Lyon House sits across the street from the Lincoln Home.

Springfield Posts➤

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