On a recent trip to central Illinois I had my first opportunity to visit two historic areas associated with my favorite president, Abraham Lincoln.  Having left Indiana with his family in 1830 to move westward to Illinois, 21-year-old Abe decided it was time to set out on his own.  So he settled in the New Salem, Illinois community where he split rails, clerked in a store and served as postmaster, among other positions that influenced him to become the Great Emancipator.

 

 

 

 

Lincoln statue aptly depicts the railsplitter carrying a book.

Some of the many practical  tools familiar to Abe as a young man.

Abe learned from his father that split rail fences had to be "pig tight and horse high...."
or as in this case, COW high!

Reenactor tells of the Berry-Lincoln Store...which was a popular
gathering place that extended more credit than it ever earned.

The "vine patterned china" and small china doll on display at the
visitors center is said to have been carefully wrapped and carried
on horseback by Abe more than 30 miles for a customer.

The Berry-Lincoln Store is where Abe became more of a
postmaster & humorist, rather than a successful storekeeper.

An ash pit...where cooled ashes were stored, funneling down
to eventually become lye...used in soap making.

Spring plantings at New Salem.

A "modern" wool carding machine, run by oxen walking around,
and around, and around.

A very useful vise....to grip woodworking projects.

A large kettle hanging outside a pioneer cabin.

Most clothing had to start with "home weaving".

A water well-an important source of water, near the cabin.

Interior of a simple pioneer cabin.

Spinning wheels to turn the carded wool into beautiful yarn to
weave into practical fabric to be made into needed clothing.

 

The only home that Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln ever owned.  They purchased their Springfield, Illinois home in 1844, two years and one son after their marriage.  Actual Lincoln family furnishings in an authentically reproduced setting reveal an intimate glimpse of Lincoln as a husband, father, neighbor and politician.  The Lincoln's Springfield home is a National Historic Site preserved by the National Park Service.  Of course you should always begin a tour at the NPS Visitor Center.  There you will receive your FREE tour ticket (required) for the home tour, and view an outstanding film about the Lincoln's life in Springfield.

Approaching the Lincoln's Springfield home on wooden sidewalks,
beside white picket fence and graveled streets (closed to auto traffic).

Lincoln's Family home from 1844 - 1861

The Lincolns added the 2nd story in 1855.

It's easy to imagine Abe's long legs striding up the front steps.

The Lincoln's parlor

Mrs. Lincoln proudly displayed prized possessions

Fireplaces were the still the major source of heat,
and in fact Mrs. Lincoln first cooked here over a fire.

Ever spoiling his boys, Mr. Lincoln provided the finest "stereo-optican"
to view in 3-D landmarks from around the world

Mr. Lincoln's had and cloak upon the hall tree

Abe Lincoln's bed...and private bedroom

Fainting couch and dresser in Mrs. Lincoln's private bedroom

Mirror & dresser in Mrs. Lincoln's room

Mary Lincoln's bed

Mr. Lincoln spent much time in his bedroom at this desk

Mary's "commode"

The wallpaper was French and quite expensive

The boys room...with toys "neatly" displayed

Servants quarters...upstairs with the rest of the family.
As Abe was gone 3 months at a time, he wanted the help
to be nearby to help Mary.

Mary did not know how to cook before she married Abe,
but she became an excellent cook

The 3-hole outhouse.

The neighborhood, as it was when the Lincoln's lived here....

...has been preserved by the National Park Service

The Lincoln's attended the Presbyterian Church near their home.

The Lincoln-Herndon Law Office State Historic Site, located just south of the Old Capitol offers yet another view of Abraham Lincoln the lawyer.  Of the many offices he used, these are the only ones that remain.

Statues depicting Mrs. Lincoln fussing over Mr. Lincoln...
while the boys were playing catch.

Where Abe practiced law...neater than he usually left it!

Typical court room, where Lincoln practiced his amazing
speaking skills.

A "rodent" trap!

A "flying insect" trap

Lincoln's law books, displayed in the library cabinet

The "OLD" Springfield Capitol

The Old Capitol was used until 1876

 

The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in downtown Springfield is more than a museum--it's an interactive experience that takes you on a journey from Lincoln's humble beginnings through his rise to the presidency.  You don't want to miss two immersive theater presentations, "Through Lincoln's Eyes" and "Ghosts in the Library". 

 

The Lincoln Family welcomes you to the Rotunda of the Lincoln Museum

One of the great exhibits begins in Lincoln's humble Indiana boyhood home,
and takes you through a simulated TV Newsroom with a newscast
about the four Presidential candidates in 1860.

A replica of the White House exterior leads you into a display
of 1860's fashions with First Lady, Mary Todd Lincoln.

 

Within this granite monument lie the remains of President Abraham Lincoln, his wife Mary, and three of their sons.  People come from around the world to see the tomb of Springfield's most famous citizen at the largest Illinois cemetery and the 2nd-most visited cemetery in the country.

At Oak Ridge Cemetery, it is tradition to rub the nose on
Lincoln's bronze nose for good luck.

A bronze replica of Daniel Chester French's famous "Lincoln Memorial Statue"

Bronze statue of Lincoln, the circuit riding lawyer.

President Lincoln's marble monument, "Now He Belongs to the Ages."

Lincoln's tomb was designed by sculptor Larkin Mead.

Lincoln's Tomb was completed in 1874.

I've always been fascinated with the architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright, but have never had the opportunity to visit one of his amazing homes...until now.  While in Springfield, IL  I discovered the 16,000 square foot 1904 beautiful residence (and party house) of Susan Lawrence Dana.  As you explore the Dana-Thomas House you will discover spacious rooms and luxurious pieces of stained glass, light fixtures, windows, & furniture, all designed by renowned architect, Frank Lloyd Wright.



Upon Susan Lawrence Dana's death in 1946, the house was purchased by medical publisher,  Charles Thomas,
who wisely protected all the furnishings and the architecture, while using the home for his
company's executive offices.  The State of Illinois bought the home in 1981, after becoming
named a National Registered Historic Place in 1976. 
After a thorough restoration to its 1910 appearance from 1987-1990 the home was opened for tours.

The front entrance features the "Flower in the Crannied Wall"
statue by Wright's friend, Richard Bock.

Wright's philosophy of the integration of nature and architecture is
evident at the Dana-Thomas House.  Large copper overhanging eves
provided long planters and beautiful water lily pools
to bring the outside to the inside.

Photography is NOT allowed inside the Dana-Thomas house, so
you'll have to visit in order to see the tremendously beautiful opaque
art glass windows, with touches of colored and sometimes iridescent
art glass profiding staccato rhythms and abstracted plant designs. 
Butterfly & sumac patterns are incorporated in the lights & windows here.

Low slung roof lines of the Prairie House designs are evident
here with multi-levels to take full advantage of a small lot.

Beautiful patterns on the exterior look like metal, but are
actually created with plaster molds and painted to "fool the eye."

Even though this home is on a small city lot, Wright's
architectural design incorporated walls to provide privacy.

 

Another amazing fact about this home, is that Mr. Wright
was asked to rennovate the Lawrence's "Italianate" style 30-year-old,
much smaller home.  Mr. Wright, slowly chipped away at the"old"
homestead until there is only ONE room IN this house that
is representative of the "Victorian" style home that was once there.

The NEW Illinois Capitol in Springfield, Illinois....a surprisingly small
town with lots of history to share!