Weekends in Chatham/Springfield, Illinois

After our first week of work, we hit a rainy spell but it was a great opportunity to visit the Lincoln Library and Museum in Springfield, Ill.  There were lots of representations of key events in Lincoln's life and Presidency and the whole thing was extremely well done.  We managed to learn a few new things in our visit.

In addition to the current visitors, the Lincoln family was present at the model white house.

The younger Lincoln is portrayed at his boyhood cabin.

Abe and Mary depicted relaxing in The White House.

The Lincoln/Douglas debates were also depicted.  Many other events were also shown but you get the idea.

This past weekend was much cooler but also more pleasant and sunny so we were "off" to see some of the outdoor sites.  First, we visited the Lincoln home but were surprised to learn that the US Park Service had purchased and restored houses within a block of the home in all directions.

This was the home of Abe and Mary Lincoln and their children until 1861 when they all moved to Washington.  It had originally been a one and a half story home but after several additions, this is the way it looked in 1861.  They never returned and the son, Robert, eventulally gave it to the state of Illinois who later turned it over to the National Park Service.

The front door says "A. Lincoln", just as it did after he bought the house for his wife and their first child.

This is how the rear looked in 1861.

This house is one of those of his neighbors at the time,

and this is another view of the neighborhood in 1861

and so is this

and this.  It is a very lovely area all owned and managed by the US Park Service.

About 3 blocks away is where Lincoln made his farewell to Springfield speech as he boarded the train to Washington.  He was already receiving death threats which may have made that speech more emotional.

This is the Lincoln Depot where the speech was given.

A few more miles down the road is our final stop in the city of Springfield.

The tomb of President and Mrs. Lincoln and three of their children.

Our last "tourist" event was a visit to the Lincoln Memorial Gardens which is closer to Chatham on Lake Springfield.

The entrance to the gardens showing the many hiking trails.

There are beautiful views of the Lake from the trails

and of the homes on the far side of this nature center.

Just to prove that we were acutally here, is Stel

and Jodi.

Now it's time to go rest up for our final week of work in Chatham.  Talk to you soon.