The Lincoln Home National Historic Site in Springfield, Illinois, may be expanded to include a replica of future President Abraham Lincoln's 1844 cottage and the nearby Elijah Iles House, named for one of the city's early settlers. U.S. Sens. Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth introduced legislation last week to expand the boundaries of the site, which is run … Continue reading Lincoln Home National Historic Site in Springfield may be expanded
Tag: Abraham Lincoln
About $15 million in improvements slated for Old State Capitol in Springfield
The Old State Capitol building in Springfield, Illinois, is due for $15.1 million in improvements under the state's Rebuild Illinois capital plan. According to the State Journal-Register in Springfield: The money will go towards a variety of improvements according to an announcement from the governor's office Friday including replacement of the roof and wooden flooring, … Continue reading About $15 million in improvements slated for Old State Capitol in Springfield
World’s Largest Covered Wagon marks its 20th year
The World's Largest Covered Wagon, complete with a figure of Abraham Lincoln riding it while reading a book, in Lincoln, Illinois, recently marked its 20th anniversary. The wagon is one of those attractions that seems older than it is. However, the Lincoln Courier newspaper reports it indeed was created in 2001 by Old Abe enthusiast … Continue reading World’s Largest Covered Wagon marks its 20th year
Old State Capitol in Springfield reopens to tours
The Old State Capitol in Springfield, Illinois, where a young politician named Abraham Lincoln served in the state Legislature and delivered his "House Divided" speech, reopened to tours last week after months of interior renovations. The Associated Press reports exterior work on the Capitol's dome is continuing, but indoor work on plaster and painting was … Continue reading Old State Capitol in Springfield reopens to tours
Railsplitting Festival in Lincoln will try to break world record of Abe lookalikes
This weekend's 49th annual Abraham Lincoln National Railsplitting Festival in Lincoln, Illinois, will attempt to break a world record for the most people dressed as Honest Abe in one place. According to a news release about the Sept. 21-22 festival: The public is invited by the Logan County Tourism Bureau to help break the World … Continue reading Railsplitting Festival in Lincoln will try to break world record of Abe lookalikes
Tourism center opens in building that houses Lincoln law office
The tourism bureau of Springfield, Illinois, recently opened a welcome center in a downtown building that once contained Abraham Lincoln's law office. The Lincoln-Herndon Law Offices historic site inside the 1840 three-story Tinsley dry-goods building was closed a few years ago for a $1 million renovation, but a state budget impasse kept the structure from … Continue reading Tourism center opens in building that houses Lincoln law office
The Mill plays a role in solving a Lincoln mystery
The Mill restaurant in Lincoln, Illinois, which reopened this weekend as a museum, played an unlikely role in solving a mystery involving a local church and Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln long was rumored to have practiced law at the Lincoln Christian Church in Lincoln in the late 1850s when the local courthouse burned and the church was … Continue reading The Mill plays a role in solving a Lincoln mystery
Railroad depot in Springfield named to National Register
The Great Western Railroad depot in Springfield, Illinois, was named to the National Register of Historic Places effective Aug. 25, according to an email a few days ago from the National Park Service. The depot at 930 E. Monroe St. (map here) sits barely a block east of the classic Ninth Street alignment of Route … Continue reading Railroad depot in Springfield named to National Register
Bloomington plans a Route 66, Lincoln visitors center
Amid an announcement this week that the Bloomington-Normal Convention and Visitors Bureau and the McLean County Museum of History is joining in a partnership was this little item, courtesy of WJBC radio: The Bureau and Museum are working together on a new Abraham Lincoln and Route 66 Visitors Center. "Cruisin' with Lincoln on Route 66" … Continue reading Bloomington plans a Route 66, Lincoln visitors center
Mini Abe gets his kicks
You have to hand it to the folks at the Illinois Office of Tourism for coming up with novel campaigns. You'll see a miniature Abraham Lincoln take in multiple sights in his adopted state, including Route 66. https://youtu.be/7u1hYL-2quE Mini Abe reminds me of a more macho version of Mr. Bill. (Hat tip: Adweek)