We arrived in Springfield, Illinois too late on Sunday afternoon to do much more than check in to our hotel and have dinner. We did figure out that Lincoln’s house and the Lincoln Museum were a few blocks apart, not in the same complex. After checking the weather for the next day, we formulated a plan.

It was sunny the next morning as forecasted, so we made our way to Lincoln’s house, took the tour, and wandered around the small visitors center and other historic buildings.

Next we went to the Lincoln Presidential Museum. There were exhibits from when he was born and his early life, his time in Springfield, and his time as President in the White House. He had tragedy strike twice with the death of two of his sons. One in Springfield and one while he was president. Of course what a tumultuous time to be president!

The Lincoln experience would not be complete until we visited his tomb. We ended our Lincoln tour with a visit to Oak Ridge Cemetery where he is buried with his wife Mary, and sons Edward, William and Thomas.