Lincoln Home National Historic Site
Encyclopedia
Lincoln Home National Historic Site preserves the Springfield, Illinois
home where Abraham Lincoln
lived from 1844 to 1861, before becoming the 16th President of the United States
. The presidential memorial
includes a four-block historic district surrounding the home and a visitor center
.
The house, purchased by Lincoln and his wife, Mary Todd Lincoln
in 1844, was the only home that Lincoln ever owned. Located at the corner of Eighth and Jackson Streets, the house contains twelve rooms spread over two floors. During the time he lived here, Lincoln was elected to the House of Representatives
in 1846, and elected President in 1860.
The home and Lincoln Tomb
, also in Springfield, were designated National Historic Landmark
s on December 19, 1960, and automatically listed on the National Register of Historic Places
on October 15, 1966. The home and adjacent district became a National Historic Site
on August 18, 1971 and is administered by the National Park Service
. As of 2010, it is the only National Park Service property in Illinois
.
Along with the Lincoln Home, several other structures within the four-block area are also preserved. All the homes have been restored to their appearance during the time Lincoln lived in the neighborhood. Two structures, the Dean House and the Arnold House, are open to visitors and house exhibits on the life and times of Lincoln and his neighbors. In total, the buildings included in the park occupy 12 acres (48,562.3 m²).
Lincoln's son, Robert Todd Lincoln
donated the family home to the State of Illinois in 1887 under the condition that it would forever be well-maintained and open to the public at no charge.
Nearby in Springfield are the Old State Capitol
where Lincoln served as a State Legislator, the building
which housed the law offices of Lincoln and his partner William Herndon
from 1844 until 1852 and the Lincoln Depot
from which Lincoln left the city for his 1861 inauguration.
Springfield, Illinois
Springfield is the third and current capital of the US state of Illinois and the county seat of Sangamon County with a population of 117,400 , making it the sixth most populated city in the state and the second most populated Illinois city outside of the Chicago Metropolitan Area...
home where Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln was the 16th President of the United States, serving from March 1861 until his assassination in April 1865. He successfully led his country through a great constitutional, military and moral crisis – the American Civil War – preserving the Union, while ending slavery, and...
lived from 1844 to 1861, before becoming the 16th President of the United States
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
. The presidential memorial
United States presidential memorial
The Presidential memorials in the United States honor the various Presidents of the United States and seek to perpetuate their legacies.-Living and physical elements:...
includes a four-block historic district surrounding the home and a visitor center
Visitor center
A visitor center or centre , visitor information center, tourist information center, is a physical location that provides tourist information to the visitors who tour the place or area locally...
.
The house, purchased by Lincoln and his wife, Mary Todd Lincoln
Mary Todd Lincoln
Mary Ann Lincoln was the wife of the 16th President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln, and was First Lady of the United States from 1861 to 1865.-Life before the White House:...
in 1844, was the only home that Lincoln ever owned. Located at the corner of Eighth and Jackson Streets, the house contains twelve rooms spread over two floors. During the time he lived here, Lincoln was elected to the House of Representatives
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
in 1846, and elected President in 1860.
The home and Lincoln Tomb
Lincoln Tomb
Lincoln's Tomb in Oak Ridge Cemetery, Springfield, Illinois, is the final resting place of the 16th President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln, his wife, Mary Todd Lincoln, and three of their four sons. The monument is owned and administered by the State of Illinois as Lincoln Tomb State...
, also in Springfield, were designated National Historic Landmark
National Historic Landmark
A National Historic Landmark is a building, site, structure, object, or district, that is officially recognized by the United States government for its historical significance...
s on December 19, 1960, and automatically listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
on October 15, 1966. The home and adjacent district became a National Historic Site
National Historical Park
National Historic Sites are protected areas of national historic significance in the United States. A National Historic Site usually contains a single historical feature directly associated with its subject...
on August 18, 1971 and is administered by the National Park Service
National Park Service
The National Park Service is the U.S. federal agency that manages all national parks, many national monuments, and other conservation and historical properties with various title designations...
. As of 2010, it is the only National Park Service property in Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
.
Along with the Lincoln Home, several other structures within the four-block area are also preserved. All the homes have been restored to their appearance during the time Lincoln lived in the neighborhood. Two structures, the Dean House and the Arnold House, are open to visitors and house exhibits on the life and times of Lincoln and his neighbors. In total, the buildings included in the park occupy 12 acres (48,562.3 m²).
Lincoln's son, Robert Todd Lincoln
Robert Todd Lincoln
Robert Todd Lincoln was an American lawyer and Secretary of War, and the first son of President Abraham Lincoln and Mary Todd Lincoln...
donated the family home to the State of Illinois in 1887 under the condition that it would forever be well-maintained and open to the public at no charge.
Nearby in Springfield are the Old State Capitol
Old State Capitol State Historic Site
The Old State Capitol State Historic Site, in Springfield, Illinois, is the fifth capitol building built for the U.S. state of Illinois. It was built in the Greek Revival style in 1837-40, and served as the state house in 1840-1876...
where Lincoln served as a State Legislator, the building
Lincoln-Herndon Law Offices State Historic Site
The Lincoln-Herndon Law Offices State Historic Site is a historic brick building built in 1841 in the U.S. state of Illinois. It is located at 6th and Adams Streets in Springfield, Illinois...
which housed the law offices of Lincoln and his partner William Herndon
William Herndon
William Herndon may refer to:*William Herndon , officer and explorer in the United States Navy*William Herndon , law partner and biographer of Abraham Lincoln...
from 1844 until 1852 and the Lincoln Depot
Lincoln Depot
Lincoln Depot is located in Springfield, Illinois. It is so called because Abraham Lincoln's bittersweet Farewell Address to Springfield was spoken here.-History:...
from which Lincoln left the city for his 1861 inauguration.
See also
- Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historic SiteAbraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historic SiteAbraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park preserves two farm sites where Abraham Lincoln lived as a child.In the fall of 1808, Thomas and Nancy Lincoln settled on Sinking Spring Farm. Two months later on February 12, 1809, Abraham Lincoln was born there in a one-room log cabin. Today...
- Lincoln Boyhood National MemorialLincoln Boyhood National MemorialLincoln Boyhood National Memorial is a United States Presidential Memorial, a National Historic Landmark District in present-day Lincoln City, Indiana. It preserves the farm site where Abraham Lincoln lived with his family from 1816 to 1830. During that time, he grew from a 7-year-old boy to a...
- Ford's Theatre National Historic Site
- Lincoln TombLincoln TombLincoln's Tomb in Oak Ridge Cemetery, Springfield, Illinois, is the final resting place of the 16th President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln, his wife, Mary Todd Lincoln, and three of their four sons. The monument is owned and administered by the State of Illinois as Lincoln Tomb State...
- Lincoln MemorialLincoln MemorialThe Lincoln Memorial is an American memorial built to honor the 16th President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln. It is located on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. The architect was Henry Bacon, the sculptor of the main statue was Daniel Chester French, and the painter of the interior...
- Mount Rushmore National Memorial
- Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and MuseumAbraham Lincoln Presidential Library and MuseumThe Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum documents the life of the 16th U.S. President, Abraham Lincoln, and the course of the American Civil War. Combining traditional scholarship with 21st century showmanship techniques, the popular museum continues to rank as one of the most visited...
- United States Presidential MemorialUnited States presidential memorialThe Presidential memorials in the United States honor the various Presidents of the United States and seek to perpetuate their legacies.-Living and physical elements:...