The Lincoln Home was the Lincoln family’s home for 17 years; Abraham Lincoln delivered his “House Divided” speech at the Old State Capitol. These sites offer different insights into the history of Springfield and Sangamon County—from family life to political oratory.
Lincoln Sites and Their Stories
The Lincoln Home National Historic Site combines the historic house with several ways to explore its history. In addition to tours, offerings include self-guided exhibits, park films, and a tour through a historic neighborhood spanning four blocks. There is also a Junior Ranger program; seasonal programs may vary. Alongside the house, the exhibits and neighborhood tour are also highlights.
The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum in Springfield interprets Lincoln’s life through interactive exhibits, multimedia programs, and a reproduction of the White House as it appeared in 1861. In the Treasures Gallery, the museum displays changing objects from the Lincoln Collection, including an original handwritten copy of the Gettysburg Address. The selection changes. The Lincoln Tomb in Oak Ridge Cemetery is the final resting place of Abraham Lincoln, Mary Todd Lincoln, and three of their sons.
The Camp Butler National Cemetery offers another layer of history. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1997 and occupies part of the site where the second-largest military training camp in Illinois was located during the Civil War. The Clayville Historic Site recreates an early pioneer village with historic buildings relocated there from central Illinois.
Architecture, Culture, and Remembrance
The Dana-Thomas House represents another era: Frank Lloyd Wright designed the home in the Prairie School style; it was built from 1902 to 1904. The Vachel Lindsay Home was the home of poet, illustrator, and early film critic Vachel Lindsay. Both houses offer opportunities to consider architecture and individual life stories as distinct ways to explore the region’s history.
The Springfield & Central Illinois African American History Museum tells stories of African American life in central Illinois, past and present. Route History explains how Route 66 affected African American history in Springfield and beyond. Together, they offer contrasting perspectives: a broad temporal and regional view in one place, and the impact of a particular road in the other.
The Illinois State Museum also covers several subjects: its exhibits explore natural history, anthropology, history, and art. The Ace Sign Co. Sign Museum holds more than 85 historic signs from Springfield and Route 66. It showcases historic neon signs and is located next to a modern sign-making facility. In Springfield, museum subjects and sign history sit side by side, without reducing the individual sites to the same historical narrative.
Water, Trails, and Habitats
Southeast of Springfield, Sangchris Lake State Park is located in Sangamon County. It covers more than 3,000 acres and has 120 miles of shoreline. Fishing is available at the lake; boat access is available on the east and west shores and at the Strawkas Point boat ramp near Illinois Route 104. The park also has 20 miles of horseback riding trails and scenic nature trails featuring wildflowers and songbirds. Activities on the water are complemented by trails shaped by their natural surroundings.
Other nature highlights can be found at various locations: Carpenter Park provides habitat for at least 82 breeding bird species. The Lincoln Memorial Garden & Nature Center in Springfield is on the shore of Lake Springfield. Franklin’s ground squirrel (Spermophilus franklinii), a state-threatened species in Illinois protected under the Illinois Endangered Species Act, lives along the Sangamon Valley Trail. The Route 66 Bicycle Trail through Sangamon County runs from the Logan County line in the north, through Divernon, to the Montgomery County line in the south.
The Henson Robinson Zoo features naturalistic habitats for more than 90 native and exotic animal species. The zoo also offers hands-on experiences for children and adults, as well as educational programs for children ages two to 17. Animal numbers and programs may change.
A Taste of Springfield
Springfield’s local food culture includes the Springfield Horseshoe: toasted Texas toast, meat of your choice, crispy French fries, and homemade cheese sauce. The story of the signature Horseshoe Sandwich dates back to 1928, when Joe Schweska created it at the Old Leland Hotel. Its ingredients and origins give the dish two distinct stories: a culinary tradition and a specific beginning in Springfield.
The Sangamon Mass Transit District provides public transportation throughout the Springfield metropolitan area. Service coverage and fares may change; check the current information before your trip.
Discover more destinations: Springfield, Effingham, Cumberland County, Logan, Tazewell County, Jefferson, Monroe County, Stephenson.
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