Lincoln Home National Historic Site

Lincoln Home National Historic Site At Lincoln Home National Historic Site you can follow in the footsteps of the father, husband, lawyer Please be considerate of other fan's opinions.
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Last month, Lincoln Home hosted an animal adoption event with the Animal Protective League (APL) and a B.A.R.K. Ranger e...
05/31/2026

Last month, Lincoln Home hosted an animal adoption event with the Animal Protective League (APL) and a B.A.R.K. Ranger event with Looking for Lincoln. We are happy to report that some furry friends found their forever homes! Thank you to everyone who came out to see and play with all the cute cats and dogs and a huge thanks to the APL and Looking for Lincoln for their support. We were also able to swear in many new B.A.R.K. Rangers who learned about the importance of recreating responsibly outdoors. Please enjoy these adorable animal pictures from the event, we certainly did!

Alt Text:
1: A park ranger standing in front of the Lincoln Home and holding a tiny tabby kitten.
2: A park ranger crouching next to a black dog with trees and greenery in the background.
3: A man smiling and holding a B.A.R.K. Ranger badge and certificate with a black dog next to him.
4: Two people and a small tan and white dog sitting behind a table advertising the B.A.R.K. Ranger program.
5: Two small tabby kittens in a kennel.

Image Credits: NPS


Looking For Lincoln Animal Protective League

Due to a local 5K race, SATURDAY, MAY 9 from 7:30-11:30 am, 7th Street, the street leading to both Lincoln Home parking ...
05/04/2026

Due to a local 5K race, SATURDAY, MAY 9 from 7:30-11:30 am, 7th Street, the street leading to both Lincoln Home parking lots will be closed and there will be no parking on site. Street parking will also not be available along 7th St.

Welcome to the neighborhood! Today we are meeting another one of Abraham Lincoln's neighbors, Jared P. Irwin.In 1837, th...
04/29/2026

Welcome to the neighborhood! Today we are meeting another one of Abraham Lincoln's neighbors, Jared P. Irwin.

In 1837, the Illinois General Assembly authorized the state capital of Illinois to be moved from Vandalia to Springfield. A new Capitol building was designed and set to be constructed in the recently minted capital city of Springfield. Irwin moved from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Springfield around this time. He was a bricklayer and stone mason and found work assisting in the construction of the new Capitol building (known today as the Old State Capitol), pictured here.

Irwin wrote in his daily diary about his experiences working on the building, "June 22, 1837. I this day commenced laying the foundation of the Capitol, or State House, at $2.50 pr. day." He also wrote entries about the different groups that passed through Springfield on their way to land west of the Mississippi. After the construction of the Capitol building was completed, Irwin moved back to Philadelphia and got married. In the 1850s, he returned to Springfield with his wife and moved into a home down the street from the Lincoln family. The home is no longer standing, but thanks to Irwin's diary, we can learn about the things he saw and people he encountered while working on a historic Illinois building.

Alt Text: A large stone building with many windows and a white cupola with a red dome. This is the Old State Capitol building in present day.

Image Credit: NPS

No better day than a Factual Friday! This week we are answering a peculiar question, "What did money look like when Linc...
04/24/2026

No better day than a Factual Friday! This week we are answering a peculiar question, "What did money look like when Lincoln was president?"

If you have seen a U.S. $5 bill since 1914, you have seen Abraham Lincoln's face looking back at you. But who was on the money when Lincoln was president? Lincoln's time as a face on American money actually began in 1861 while he was president. To finance the Civil War, the U.S. Department of Treasury began issuing Demand Notes, the first paper money widely circulated by the U.S. government. Demand Notes, also called 'greenbacks" because of the green ink printed on the back, came in denominations of $5, $10, and $20 and were essentially government IOUs redeemable in gold or silver "upon demand" at specific banks across the country. Lincoln appeared on the $10 Demand Note, as seen here.

In 1862, the U.S. switched from Demand Notes to United States notes. These notes were used until 1971 and were also nicknamed "greenbacks". United States notes were issued longer than any other U.S. paper money. In 1913, the Federal Reserve Act was passed which established the Federal Reserve as the nation's central bank and the Federal Reserve Note as the nation's new currency. United States notes and the new Federal Reserve Note overlapped in use for over 50 years. The Federal Reserve Note is what is still printed and used in the U.S. today. Reprising his role on U.S. currency, Lincoln appeared on the $5 bill starting in 1914.

Alt Text: United States $10 Demand Note printed with green ink and a portrait of Abraham Lincoln on the left, an eagle in the middle, and a statue representing art on the right.

Image Credit: U.S. Department of the Treasury

Are you in the market for a new best friend? A Fido of your own? If you said yes, come and join us on Saturday, April 25...
04/18/2026

Are you in the market for a new best friend? A Fido of your own? If you said yes, come and join us on Saturday, April 25 from 11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. for an adoption event in partnership with Springfield's Animal Protective League (APL)! The APL’s Mobile Adoption Unit will be on-site with adoptable cats and dogs. APL staff and volunteers will be available to process adoptions and set you up with your new furry friend!

If you already have an adventure buddy, you can still stop by and participate in our new B.A.R.K. Ranger program! This program encourages responsible recreation with pets outdoors as they join you on your adventures. Pets can even earn their very own B.A.R.K. Ranger badge!

Alt Text: Blue graphic for an adoption event at Lincoln Home National Historic Site featuring two dogs and information about the adoption event happening on Saturday, April 25 from 11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.

Image Credit: NPS

Animal Protective League

Ding, ding, ding! Went the trolley... Did you know that the city streetcar service used to run past the Lincoln Home? Or...
04/13/2026

Ding, ding, ding! Went the trolley... Did you know that the city streetcar service used to run past the Lincoln Home? Originally pulled by horses starting in 1866, two companies provided trolleys for city dwellers, but also had a set stop in front of Lincoln Home for visitors. The companies later merged into the Springfield Consolidated Railway Co. in 1893 and electrified their cars. The last streetcar run took place on January 1, 1938 (source: SangamonLink, www.sangamoncountyhistory.org).

The trolley can be seen far up the street on the left, while a lady in a white blouse waits next to the fire hydrant in front of the Lincoln Home in this circa 1910 postcard. The trees lining the street block the view of the other houses in the neighborhood—thankfully the Lincoln Home had a striped awning over the front door to make it easier to find for visitors. And what is that thing at the top of the postcard, seemingly floating above the intersection? That's not some sort of early drone, but is, in fact, an early streetlight. The wires holding it in place have almost faded out of the image.

Alt-text: Colorized photo postcard looking up a tree-lined street in front of the Lincoln Home, which is marked with a large striped awning over the front door. A streetcar is barely visible in the lower left corner, and a large glass bulb hanging from crossed wired is at the center top of the card.

Did the month of March come in like a lion or a lamb? If you believe the old saying, it should depart in the opposite wa...
03/30/2026

Did the month of March come in like a lion or a lamb? If you believe the old saying, it should depart in the opposite way—is the weather holding up this tradition in your area? Spring weather in the Midwest is predictable only in that it is unpredictable! In the meantime, we can enjoy depictions of a lion and a lamb in the museum collection while we wait out March weather.

The lamb figurine decorates the Front Parlor on one of the whatnot shelves. The Lincolns had several small figurines on the shelves of the two whatnots much like this little lamb.

The lion is part of a well-known mark still used by many manufacturers based in Great Britain. The mark features a lion and a unicorn holding up the Seal of Great Britain topped with a crown, indicating royal approval of the company. Many of the plates, cups, saucers (like this one) found in the backyard of the Lincoln Home have this makers mark on them. Most dishware used by Americans in the 1850s was made in England.

Alt-text: Photos 1 & 3: Overall and close up images of a stamp on the underside of a white ceramic dish shows a lion and a unicorn standing on their hind legs holding an oval shield topped with a crown. The dish is cracked through the lion's head. Underneath is states "Royal Patent/ Ironstone/ Tomkinson. Broa..." Photo 2: shows a small three-dimensional ceramic lamb looking over its left shoulder standing on a white base.

It's another beautiful day in the Lincoln neighborhood! The neighbor we're talking about today is George W. Shutt.Shutt ...
02/18/2026

It's another beautiful day in the Lincoln neighborhood! The neighbor we're talking about today is George W. Shutt.

Shutt was born in 1832 in Virginia. He received his license to practice law and moved to Springfield, Illinois some time before 1857. In 1857, Shutt formed a law partnership with James B. White. He became a neighbor of the Lincoln family in 1860, renting a house down the street from them. Shutt was an active member of the Democratic party and supported Stephen A. Douglas in the presidential campaign of 1860. He even spoke at several rallies supporting Douglas. In 1862, Shutt was appointed as master in chancery, an administrative position in the Sangamon County Circuit Court. Despite political differences, Shutt served on the committee that made arrangements for Lincoln's funeral after Lincoln's assassination. Shutt eventually left Springfield in the early 1870s for a job with the Department of the Interior in Washington, D.C.

The Shutt house (pictured) is now a part of the Lincoln Home National Historic Site. You cannot go inside of the Shutt house, but you can see the outside of the home and explore the rest of the neighborhood any time!

Alt Text: The two-story tan Shutt home with large windows and a white fence in front of it.

Image Credit: NPS

Are you a fan of "Grandma Hobbies"? There are many different activities that qualify like knitting, embroidery, or bakin...
02/16/2026

Are you a fan of "Grandma Hobbies"? There are many different activities that qualify like knitting, embroidery, or baking, and many experts agree that these promote relaxation and creativity. Back in Mary Lincoln's day, they were more necessities of daily life, but creativity was still encouraged, at least when learning the craft or showing off what you learned. Samplers were important trainers for young girls to learn stitching skills necessary for making and mending clothes, but also demonstrated literacy, especially of religious texts. Unfortunately, we don't know who Mary Ann Ash was or where she lived, but we appreciate the skill she exhibited in her 1821 sampler. Several threads still retain their bright yellow, green. and blue hues and the tiny, even stitches are impressive. And what do you think of Miss Ash's recommendation of how to spend your time?

Alt-text: Cross-stitch sampler in a frame. Inside a floral border is "An Hymn/ Let then this glorious gift of God yet more our souls refine/ That his pure Image may in us with greater glory shine/ But O my god reach down thine hand and take us up to thee/ That we about the Throne my stand and all they Glory see/ All glory to the sacred Three one Everlasting Lord/ As at the first still may he be beloved obeyed adored." and an admonition "As oft at cards as people play/ Their time and thoughts are thrown away/ The bible says redeem the time/ To waste it then must be a crime/ Play not at all do this instead/ Peruse good books or learn to read". Signed by "Mary Ann Ash/ May 24th/ 1821"

Gravy? Cheese Sauce? Hot Fudge?? Think of all of the yummy things that could have been poured out of this dish!! Althoug...
02/09/2026

Gravy? Cheese Sauce? Hot Fudge?? Think of all of the yummy things that could have been poured out of this dish!! Although this was not the Lincolns' sauceboat, it looks very similar in style to other dishes the Lincolns used in their Springfield home. Mary Lincoln's copy of the Eliza Leslie's Directions for Cooking has pages and pages of gravies, sauces, and "catchups" that would have been poured into a container like this for serving. Some of the recipes even mention the use of the sauceboat as part of the steps to properly finish the sauce!

"Lobster Catchup—This catchup, warmed in melted butter, is an excellent substitute for fresh lobster sauce at seasons when the fish cannot be procured, as, if properly made, it will keep a year.
Take a fine lobster that weighs about three pounds. Put it into boiling water, and cook it thoroughly. When it is cold, break it up, and extract all the flesh from the shell. Pound the red part or coral in a marble mortar, and when it is well bruised, add the white meat by degrees, and pound that also; seasoning it with a tea-spoonful of cayenne, and moistening it gradually with sherry wine. When it is beaten to a smooth paste, mix it well with the remainder of the bottle of sherry. Put it into wide-mouthed bottles, and on the top of each put a table-spoonful of sweet oil. Dip the corks in melted rosin, and secure them well by tying leather over them.
In using this catchup, allow four table-spoonfuls to a common-seized (sized? [sic]) sauce-boat of melted butter. Put in the catchup at the last, and hold it over the fire just long enough to be thoroughly heated."

Alt-text: All white ceramic container with a large handle on one end opposite a deep spout. Raised lines accent the hexagonal shape.

Address

426 S 7th Street
Springfield, IL
62701

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm
Sunday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+12174924241

Website

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