The formal parlor in the Lincoln home, with the original desk where he wrote his letter of acceptance for the Presidential nomination

Imagine this: you’re sitting in your living room on a Saturday evening. Your spouse is sitting nearby, doing some housework. Your kids are running around, chasing the dog through the house. There’s a knock on the door, and as you answer it, 27 men come into your house. They have just spent the past couple of days on a train, making their way to see you. You offer them a cigar and glass of water, then sit down in the formal parlor to hear about their reasons for visiting you. After they sit, they tell you that they have nominated you to run as President in the next election. Some discussion ensues and after an hour or two, you thank them for coming and show them out the door without giving them an answer.

Did you picture yourself sitting in your comfortable living room, complete with air conditioning, a tv, and your cell phone next to you? Or did you picture yourself in 1860, a room approximately 12’ by 25’ large, with a large stereograph being the most updated piece of technology in the room? If you pictured the latter, then you are picturing the setting in which Abraham Lincoln was asked to run for President of the United States of America. While we all know the ending to his story, back when he was asked to run, he took 4 days to respond with a positive “yes.”

Lincoln’s original shaving mirror, with a replica of the wallpaper that Mary selected for their bedrooms (plural – they slept apart)

The city of Springfield, Illinois is full of historic sites related to Abraham Lincoln. In addition to being the state’s capital city, complete with an impressive capital building, there are numerous buildings, landmarks, plaques, and statues dedicated to Lincoln. We spent two days in the city, visiting a handful of these places to learn more about our 16^th President.

The Lincoln Home, listed as a National Historic Site, was purchased in 1844 for $1500. After moving in, the Lincoln’s spent an additional $1500 in renovations to raise the roof and make a proper 2^nd story. We toured the home with a national park ranger as our guide, who led us through the rooms and told us stories about the Lincoln’s. While not all of the furnishings are original, many are, having been purchased by the Lincoln’s neighbors when they moved to Washington DC. His original desk and shaving mirror were particularly interesting to see.

Great Western Railroad – the train depot in Springfield

Once nominated for President, the Lincoln’s took a train to Washington DC. The original train depot is still standing and plays a video describing his goodbye to Springfield and all the stops along the way. At one of the stops, Lincoln told a story to the crowd of gatherers about a letter he had received. This letter, written by an 11-year old girl, had advised Lincoln to grow a beard to help him win the Presidency. She said that it would look better since his face is so thin and that ladies would tease their husbands to vote for him (since women couldn’t vote). Apparently her advice worked, for Lincoln won the Presidency a few short months later.

Lincoln’s tomb

After Lincoln was assassinated, a funeral train carried him back to Springfield over the course of 3 weeks. His final resting place is a memorial dedicated to the man who helped transform a nation. Along with his wife and 3 of his 4 sons, his large tomb is surrounded by marble floors and walls. Flags flank the tomb, representing the states where he lived during his life as well as those of his ancestors. An American flag and the Presidential flag are also present. A quote above the tomb reads “Now he belongs to the ages.”