Historic Sites

The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum brings to life Abraham Lincoln’s story through immersive exhibits and displays of original artifacts. Across the street, the presidential library hosts an extensive collection of materials relating to Abraham Lincoln and his era.

Constructed in 1839 and beautifully restored to its 1860 appearance, the 12-room, Greek Revival house in downtown Springfield was Abraham and Mary Lincoln's home for 17 years.

The Lincoln Tomb State Historic Site is the final resting place of Abraham Lincoln, his wife Mary, and three of their four sons: Edward, William, and Thomas.

The Lincoln-Herndon Law Offices are within the only remaining building in which Abraham Lincoln maintained a law office. The site consists of the surviving portion of a three-story brick commercial block constructed in 1840-41. The Springfield Visitors Center now occupies the first floor.

Lincoln's New Salem, about 2 miles south of Petersburg and about 20 miles northwest of Springfield, is a reconstruction of the village where Abraham Lincoln spent his early adulthood.

The Great Western Depot station at 10th and Monroe streets is where Abraham Lincoln left Springfield in February 1861 to assume the presidency. The first floor is open today for self-guided tours.

This 90-minute, five-block walking tour uses the Lincoln sites as the backdrop for strange and bizarre stories surrounding Lincoln’s life and his death.

Located across the street from the Illinois State Capitol, this visitor center offers convenient, free parking and information on the various buildings that make up the Capitol Complex—the State Capitol, Archives, Library, Museum and state office buildings.

The Old State Capitol is a reconstruction of Illinois’ fifth statehouse, the first to be located in Springfield. The building served as the seat of state government and a center of Illinois political life from 1839 to 1876.

Built in 1855, the Illinois Governor's Mansion is one of the oldest and most historic governor's mansions in the United States. The Mansion serves as the official residence of the Governor of Illinois, a symbol of leadership in state government and a world-class house museum.

The Dana-Thomas House was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1902 for Susan Lawrence Dana, a forward-thinking socialite living in Springfield, Illinois. The home, the 72nd building designed by Wright, contains the largest collection of site-specific, original Wright art glass and furniture.

Begun in 1833 in the Greek Revival style, Edwards Place is now one of the oldest houses in Springfield. Additions in 1836 and 1843, and a major rebuild/expansion in 1857, created the Italianate house preserved today.

This historic train station, newly refurbished as a visitor center, is a great place to begin a visit to Springfield. Union Square Park is an attraction in itself with its beautiful flower gardens, benches, and Lincoln statues.

A self-guided walking tour tells the story of the events that would become known as the Springfield Race Riots of 1908 with commemorative markers placed along the path of destruction in downtown Springfield.

The Lindsay family home has been restored to depict life in 1917 in honor of author, poet and “prairie troubadour” Vachel Lindsay, who was born and died in the home.

The Elijah Iles House was built in 1837 and has survived nearly intact for 182 years, making it the oldest such structure in Springfield. Iles, who moved to Springfield in 1821, was one of the city’s earliest settlers.

Constructed by the Broadwell family as a stagecoach stop between Springfield and Beardstown in 1824, the Inn is the oldest brick building in Sangamon County. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Inn is surrounded by numerous other historic buildings from central Illinois that were moved to Clayville in the 1960s to recreate an early frontier pioneer village.

Since 1926, driving down Route 66 has been the experience of a lifetime for travelers, adventurers, desperados, and dreamers. The Springfield area contains many historic Route 66 attractions to enjoy.