Things To Do

With nearly two centuries of history, over a dozen historical buildings, and a 4-square block walkable neighborhood Lincoln Home National Historic Site has plenty of different activities and experiences to offer. Whether you have only thirty minutes or several hours, Lincoln Home National Historic Site has something for everyone.

We recommend visitors who wish to experience everything our park has to offer plan for a 2 hour visit at our site.

 

Sitting Room of the Lincoln Home

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Tour the Lincoln Home

Take a guided tour on the inside of the Lincoln Home!

• Visitors must be on a tour to access the inside of the Lincoln Home.
• Guided tours are free of charge and led by trained park guides.
• Tour tickets can be obtained at our Visitor Center Front Desk.
• Tour tickets are given out first come, first served. Wait times can be upwards of an hour during the busy season.
• Groups of 15 or more individuals must schedule their tour in advance. Individuals and small groups can get on a tour on the day of their visit.

 

Theater 2 in the Lincoln Home National Historic Site Visitor Center

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Watch a Film

Visitors can watch Journey to Greatness, a free park film highlighting Abraham Lincoln's life in Springfield, at our Visitor Center.

• This film lasts about 25 minutes.
• The first showing of the day runs at 9:00 AM, and the last showing of the day begins at 4:30 PM.
• Journey to Greatness typically plays every half hour in Theater One in the Visitor Center. Sometimes, special programming in this theater will interupt these performances.
• This film is also available on the Lincoln Home National Historic Site YouTube page.

 

Western entrance at Lincoln Home National Historic Site

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Explore the Neighborhood

We welcome visitors to walk around our four block historic neighborhood and explore our various exhibits and displays while learning about the history of the Lincoln’s neighborhood. Highlights include:

• Lincoln Home and Lincoln Home backyard
• Dean House exhibit: "What a Pleasant Home Abe Lincoln Has"
• Arnold House exhibit: "If These Walls Could Talk"
• Jameson Jenkins lot, National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom site

 

Lincoln Home hosts a variety of fun events and Living History demonstrations during the summer

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Participate in Events or a Living History Demonstration

Throughout the year Lincoln Home National Historic Site offers special events and programs to the public. In the summer, Living History reenactors provide special programming and demonstrations, inviting guests to learn more about how people lived during Abraham Lincoln’s time.

Check our event calendar and Facebook page for Living History demonstrations and other upcoming events. From guided neighborhood walks, to toy demonstrations and reenacted Lincoln speeches, the fun never stops!

 

The Great Western Depot, where Lincoln left Springfield for Washington D.C., is open to visitors.

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Nearby Attractions

Have extra time after visiting our site? There are plenty of other Lincoln-related historical sites, museums, and other attractions within both walking and driving distance of the Lincoln Home. Other popular Lincoln sites in Springfield include:

• Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum
• Lincoln's Tomb
• Old State Capitol
• Great Western Depot / Lincoln Depot