21 Jul - Lincoln’s Home

We began our tour of Lincoln sites in Springfield, Illinois, with a tour of Lincoln’s home. The National Parks Service is restoring the site to look like 1860 in preparation for the 200th birthday celebration next year.

This is the only home Lincoln ever owned. He paid $1500 for it in 1844 as a one-story house, then he added on a back room and the top floor. Lincoln and his wife lived here with their children until 1861, when they went to live in the White House. We walked through the parlor, dining room and sitting room, before going upstairs to see the children’s bedroom, hired girl’s room, sewing area, Mary’s room, Lincoln’s bedroom. We exited through the kitchen to the back yard. It was fun to see some of their original furniture and belongings. But that wallpaper in the bedroom!

Darlene wrote, “How grateful I am for the opportunity we had today to visit the home of one of the great men of the earth, Abraham Lincoln. How indebted we are for the great ones who willingly give their lives for our country and for our freedom.”