Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum: A Great Day Visiting with the Lincolns
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One summer our family got to meet with the Lincolns at their place in Springfield, Illinois. We went to visit Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum, the one place that you shouldn’t miss when you are in the neighborhood.
Our son have been learned and read a few books about President Lincoln for the past few years. Mary Pope Osborne’s Magic Tree House Series and Who Was? Book Series were a couple of them. The visit to the museum brought back all the information he got from the books. Everything was like becoming alive. Let me explain why.
Visiting the Lincolns at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum
Not like the traditional museum with flat images and dead objects in glass boxes, the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum uses 21st century technology to bring 19th century history alive. We engaged to the exhibits in a new way, as if we were part of the 19th century history.
The museum is divided into 2 parts: The Journey, Part I – The Pre-Presidential Years, and The Journey, Part II – The White House Years.
As we walked to the Plaza – the center of the museum – we saw the Lincolns standing as they would have appeared shortly after they arrived in the White House. It looks like they are welcoming us to their house. Our son recognized Willie and Tad immediately, the two younger sons of the Lincolns. And of course, he stood next to Willie when we took his picture with the Lincolns.
The Journey, Part I – The Pre-Presidential Years
We started our journey at Lincoln’s one-room boyhood log cabin home. It based on his log cabin home in Indiana, after young Lincoln and his family moved from Kentucky where he was born. The log cabin surrounded by reproduction trees that studies showed growth around Indiana at that time. Here we saw Lincoln reading a book by the fire-place when the rest of the family were sleeping.
“Do you know that Abraham Lincoln liked to read?” My son and his friend conversation when he was in 2nd grade came back to me when we were inside the log cabin.
Then we walked through the exhibition of Slave Auction. It was a common tragedy happened at that time. The historian wonder whether Abraham Lincoln came across such a scene during his trip down the Mississippi when he worked as a ferryman.
Next is Lincoln in New Salem exhibition, his first business venture. This is where he met and fell in love with Ann Rutledge.
Then we entered Life in Springfield exhibition. The gallery is presenting Lincoln courtship with Mary, his home life, his legal and political careers, his law practice, and the Lincoln-Douglas debates.
From here we moved to Campaign 1860. It was the year of Lincoln’s Presidential Campaign and the museum presented it in a clever way, using the 21st century style news broadcast. It hosted by the late NBC news legend, Tim Russert. We’re like entering the news control room to watch the campaign.
At last, we watched Lincoln delivered his emotional farewell speech from the back of his train before leaving Springfield, Illinois for Washington, D.C.
The Journey, Part II – The White House Years
The Lincoln family posed in the Plaza is actually the beginning of part II. That’s how they appeared in front of the White House in 1861.
Then we moved to another exhibit, “What Are They Wearing in Washington?”, in which Mary was being fitted for a gown for the White House Ball. She was surrounding by her social rivals. Each piece of clothing in this exhibit were carefully researched, right down to the buttons, belts, and undergarments.
Whispering Gallery is the next exhibit we entered. The wall was full of negative illustrations towards the Lincolns from what we call today the bullies. It is set up in a dark, crooked, disturbing hallway where you can also hear voices whispering mean things about the Lincolns as you pass by. Very depressing.
Next stop was even depressing, The Death of Willie. I had to wipe my eyes here. Just imagine parents lost their lovely child.
After that we walked to the Emancipation Proclamation – Illustration Corridor exhibit. Faces appear ghosted between columns, shouting advice to President Lincoln. At the end of the hallway is Lincoln standing over a table with a pen in hand, weighing his options in releasing the Emancipation Proclamation.
Then we walked to Ford’s Theater, the recreation of the presidential box where John Wilkes Booth shot him at point-blank range at approximately 10:15 p.m. (Our family been to the one in Washington, D.C. When you have a chance, you must go there).
We ended the journey at Lying in State exhibit. When we walked here, we felt like we were paying our last respect to him. Everyone was quiet.
2 other things you shouldn’t miss when visiting the Lincolns at Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum:
1. Ghosts of the Library
This is one of the best theater in the museum that we have ever watched. A live host combined with a dramatic and magical special effects presentation that uses Holavision technology, went on an exciting journey as he approached a great research of collection. Full of surprises from the beginning to the end. A must-see.
2. The Union Theater
This is a fully automated theatrical special effect in which personal and political dramas and key issues during Lincoln’s presidency presented in a spectacular way. Another must-see when you are in the museum.
Another gallery that our family found interesting is Ask Mr. Lincoln. A small nook of Q & A between President Lincoln and others.
Then you will walk through the Gift Shop on the way out. The Gift Shop carries everything Lincoln’s that you can imagine as well as other stuff that will make you feel to buy something before you leave.
All in all, we were very pleased with our visit here. Our son said, “It’s a pretty good museum.” We really recommend you and your family to make a visit to Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum. You will not disappointed at all.
A visit to Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum in Springfield is also a good day trip from Chicago. You don’t only get to see this museum, you will also see Abraham Lincoln’s Tomb, Lincoln Home National Historic Site, Lincoln Depot, and so many things in and around the city. After all, Springfield is the capital of the state of Illinois. So, next time you go exploring Chicago, don’t forget a day trip to Springfield. Just about 3,5 hours drive to the southwest.
Location: 212 N. Sixth St., Springfield, IL 62701
Hours: 9 am – 5 pm daily (last ticket sold at 4 pm.) Closed on New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. Cafe in-house dining (9 am – 4 pm).
Admission:
- Adults (16-61): $15
- Seniors (62+): $12
- Military (ID required): $10
- Children (5-15): $6
- 4 and under no charge
- Student (ID required): $12
LAST UPDATED: 3/2/20
You took me to a virtual tour of Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum through your words and pictures. This is an interesting place for people who are keen about history and Abraham Lincoln. A lot of information and educative post. Thanks for sharing your experience.
You are welcome!
Wow! What a great trip. I would love to visit this museum dedicated to the life story of such a great man. It would be more interesting visiting the museum with my daughter.
For sure, especially if she learns about Lincoln.
Sounds like a great museum. It’s brilliant that they’ve almost brought the Lincolns to life and what a great way to learn about them and get a history lesson at the same time.
I know, right? I always suggested this museum to people who have interests in American Presidents, especially Lincoln. It’s one of the best Presidential museums.
The museum looks really well done, and for people who want to learn more about US history it would make a great visit. Not to mention how cool it mush be for kids!
It sure is.
Wow, Umiko, you really have posh friends 😉
This museum looks great: You have fun and you learn a lot at the same time – just perfect. It’s nice that in the US museums are often so hands-on and not so ‘stiff’.
One in a million. 😉 I don’t mind to go back to this museum if I’m in the area. But you’re right. A lot of museums in the US are hands-on. Best way to learn.
I am a huge history buff and would love to visit the Lincoln Presidential Museum. The pictures inspire me to add this place into my list. Thanks!
You will enjoy your visit here.
The Whispering Gallery sounds a really intense experience. It brought to mind immediately our visit to the Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, where the first gallery is a journey by water in a slave ship, complete with song, murmurings and a sense of menace and fear. And I am glad to see your family so fully engaged with history. I never knew Lincoln was a Mississippi ferryman.
We have learned a lot about small things surrounding Lincoln in this museum. And thank you for the information about Civil Rights Museum in Memphis. Now I have reason to stop there on our next trip to the Northeast.
A visit to Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum is I guess everyone’s dream, especially for those that have been reading its book. I love that you were able to elucidate a few of great things about the Museum, and your photos are amazing. Thank you so much for sharing this with us. I couldn’t wait to traipse my feet here as well, hopefully soon If I get the chance.
I agree, it’s a dream for everyone whose learned about Lincoln to visit here. I’m glad we made the trip here. I hope you, too, will make it here soon.
This is such a good day trip! I know little about American history so would like to visit here myself. The women’s clothes were so more interesting in those times too, though probably not so comfortable! Will bookmark this.
Yes, Lisa. Make a trip here since you like to visit Chicago.
Our boys had an obsession with the presidents when they were about 3 years old- they would love this! We took them to Disney Land and the animatronic Abe Lincoln was their favorite thing in the whole park!!!
You must take them here. They will like it like our son did!
Looks like an interesting place to visit. I find America’s fascination with its dead presidents quite interesting.
Isn’t it? I wonder the same and still learning about it.
The museum looks really fun and interactive. I also love history, so this is a great idea. Thanks for sharing.
Wow what a educational and entertaining tour of the museum. I loved taking this virtual trip with you.
Thank you!
What a great post! I didn’t know about any of this. I’ll be saving it for the future!
This museum looks so interesting! Lovely pictures you have got! Thanks for sharing 🙂
How interesting! I didn’t know this place existed until reading your blog and it was nice to read. I think my partner would love it too!
If you like history, then you will like it even more.
Looks very interesting, I had no idea about it! We drive pretty often to Chicago, one day we just have to make a detour and visit Lincoln Museum!
You should! Lincoln’s graveyard is also there.
What an educational day out! I have never heard of this place but will have to keep it in mind if I ever find myself in Illinois 🙂
Hopefully one day you will go to Illinois. 🙂
It looks like a great place to go with kids. Lots of culture and history to inspire them!
You are right! It’s the city with history.
The museum looks so neatly done! I am sure your son had a good history lesson just by visiting this place.
One of the best presidential library. My son did have a good history lesson there. What he read were on display there.
Great post – This looks like a really interesting and informative museum. Although I’m going to be honest, the mannequins frightened me a bit 😉
One of the best! If you see the mannequins in person, it feels like they are welcoming you to their place. 😉
Never heard about it before.Looks great place for learning history with visual statues.Would love to visit it
I would have never known about this museum, too if I didn’t search around for things to do near a city we visited every year.
That’s so interesting, I really like historical tours where I can learn something!
Then you should come here. 🙂
This is fascinating – I can’t believe I’ve never been! thanks for the recap <3
Another one for the bucket list!
I love the pics from this post! I had no idea this place existed. what a great way to learn about history. Although the recreation of Ford’s Theatre was a bit much for me!
I had no idea, too, if not for finding new places to see around the city we visited every year. I really like the picture of us with the Lincolns.
This is one of my favorite museums! I love how interactive it is. I hope to go back again!
It makes me want to check other Presidential Museums in the country.
It makes me want to check other Presidential Museums.