Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum

I'm a big history buff, so whenever we travel, I like to take in a historic site or tour a historic mansion or stop in a local historical society. Springfield, Illinois is paradise for history buffs like me with many of the attractions related to our nation's beloved 16th president. However, don't think that everything Lincoln related is old.

The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum is a state-of-the-art facility that brings Lincoln's time to today's generation through not only artifacts, but through technology. Not every aspect of the museum utilizes technology, like the replica of Lincoln's boyhood home - a modest log cabin or Mrs. Lincoln's Attic, a playroom full of toys of the area and activities that give children a taste of what life was like during Lincoln's time.






A circular lobby offers entrance into several exhibits or presentations, one of them being a facade of the 1861 White House.

In the 250-seat Union Theatre, a 17-minute show called "Lincoln's Eyes" portrays Lincoln's life with special effects of the feel of rumbling cannons, the sight of smoke and the scent of gunpowder. A second theatre shows "Ghosts of the Library"  with a live actor and holographic ghosts. Another high-tech exhibit is a powerful media presentation that shows the loss of life during the civil war.

Across the street is the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library, with a wide range of books and newspaper microfilm.

Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum
212 N. Sixth Street
Springfield, IL
217-558-8844
www.presidentlincoln.org

2 comments:

  1. One of my favorite museums! It truly amazing, and houses one of the best single exhibits I have seen in any museum, anywhere (the permanent Lincoln exhibit).

    I haven't been to the tomb though, which looked really nice in your other post.

    BTW we have a Midwest travel bloggers community on Google+ if you'd like to join; many of the Midwest bloggers are on that group. Its "Midwest Travel Talk"

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks..I've yet to dive into Google+, but will keep that in mind when I get more familiar with it. Yes, the tomb is worth a stop. Also, head there during state fair time in August. Lots of fun!

    ReplyDelete

Prairie Guest House, Fishers Indiana

On a recent media trip in Indianapolis, I spent a little time in Hamilton County, staying at the Prairie Guest House Bed & Breakfast in ...