The Lincoln Home Neighborhood: Yesterday and Today

Lincoln Home National Historic Site preserves fourteen houses that date from the Lincoln era, including the Lincoln Home. Through neighborhood preservation and interpretive activities, the National Park Service seeks to recreate a vivid sense of the relationship of the Lincoln family to their neighbors and the broader Springfield community, enriching the experience of visitors at Lincoln Home National Historic Site

 

A Diversity of Occupations

The Lincoln Home neighborhood was diverse representing many occupations and social and economic levels. For example, though his home was part of a city environment, Henson Lyon owned farmland east of Springfield and identified himself as a farmer by occupation. Harriet Dean taught school in her home. Mary Remann, a widow, helped meet expenses by renting part of her home to boarders. Amos Worthen served as the Illinois state geologist and was conducting a survey of geological features and mineral resources in various parts of the state during the period he resided in the neighborhood. Jameson Jenkins moved goods by wagon. Jared P. Irwin was a bricklayer who helped in the construction of the Capitol building, known today as the Old State Capitol.

 

Jesse Dubois

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Neighborhood Politics

Jesse K. Dubois had become acquainted with Abraham Lincoln while they were both serving in the state legislature. In 1856, Lincoln championed the nomination of Dubois as the Republican candidate for state auditor. After his election to that office, Dubois moved to Springfield. At the 1860 Republican convention in Chicago, Dubois was a leader in organizing support for Lincoln's presidential nomination.

Some neighbors, on the other hand, were not Lincoln's political allies. George W. Shutt, for example, spoke at several rallies supporting Democratic presidential candidate Stephen A. Douglas, an opponent of Lincoln in the election of 1860.

 

Today's Activities at Lincoln Home National Historic Site

There are a variety of visitor activities available at Lincoln Home National Historic Site.

Access to the Lincoln Home is available with a free ticket for a specific tour time. The free Lincoln Home tour tickets are distributed at the Visitor Center Information Desk. School groups, charter tours, or other large groups must reserve Lincoln Home tours in advance by contacting the Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau. The Visitor Center also offers an orientation film, temporary exhibits, a Museum Shop, Springfield area information, and restrooms.

Exhibits are located within the historic Lincoln neighborhood, including "What a Pleasant Home Abe Lincoln Has" in the Dean House which focuses on the Lincoln family's life in Springfield and "If These Walls Could Talk” in the Arnold house which focuses on historic preservation.

Stroll through the four-block historic area to see some of the houses of the Lincoln neighborhood.

 

Learn more about Lincoln's neighbors, family, and friends through the various waysides scattered around Lincoln Home National Historic Site

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