This past fall my husband and I spent one day in Springfield, Illinois learning all about one of our nations greatest presidents: Abraham Lincoln. While Abraham Lincoln has many ties to other states in our country, it was Springfield, Illinois where he married, raised his family, began his law practice, and ran for the President of the United States. There is so much to see and do in Springfield, one day was not enough to cover it all. I have previously covered the
Lincoln Home and the
Lincoln Presidential Museum, today's post is all about the Lincoln Tomb and Historic Springfield.
Abraham Lincoln is buried Oak Ridge Cemetery along with his wife and three sons. His oldest son is buried in Arlington National Cemetery. We were disappointed that the monument was under renovation when we were there (the story of our lives) so we couldn't get any great photos because scaffolding was in the way. But, we understand the importance of preserving these national treasures.
The monument and tomb feature many important architectural symbols on the exterior. The obelisk is an ancient Egyptian symbol for leadership. A statue of Lincoln holding The Emancipation Proclamation in his hand stands at the base of the obelisk. The monument also includes four bronze statues acknowledging the service of soldiers during the Civil War: Infantry, Artillery, Cavalry, and Navy. At the final base of the upper deck is a chain of unbroken links that lists the initials of each state in the Union.
There is a huge bust of Lincoln's head outside his tomb. The finish on the nose has been rubbed off by visitors (which is permitted, our tour guide instructed us to rub his nose) because legend has it that rubbing his nose brings good luck.
To our surprise, you couldn't enter the tomb without a guide. The guide begins at the bust, tells you to rub Lincoln's nose, then offers to take your photo before taking you inside the tomb.
The interior of the monument features several bronze statues of Abraham Lincoln that show guests different stages and roles of his professional life. It is constructed of marble and contains a rotunda, a burial room, and connecting corridors.
There are four bronze tablets on the walls engraved with Lincoln's Farewell Address, the Gettysburg Address, a portion of the Second Inaugural Address (pictured below), and a biographical sketch.
The tombs of Lincoln's wife and three of his sons are located across from Lincoln's tomb.
The burial room features black and white marble and a ceiling of gold leaf. The memorial monument is a seven ton reddish marble inscribed with Lincoln's name, and the years he lived. Lincoln's body is buried about ten feet below and thirty inches behind the monument. Nine flags are arranged in a semi circle around the monument. Seven of the flags commemorate the homes of Lincoln and his ancestors. The eight and nine flags are U.S. flag and the Presidential flag.
In between visiting the Lincoln Home and the Lincoln Presidential Museum we had to grab lunch. There is a restaurant inside the museum, but we preferred grabbing a bite in the historic downtown. On our way to lunch, we saw the Lincoln-Herndon Law Offices
It is such a cool, vintage building. I love how they left the "dry goods" advertising on the building.
The hustling and bustling historic Springfield is loaded with nice restaurants and shops.
I just loved the architecture of the historic district.
This is the old capitol building where Lincoln tried several hundred cases in and gave one of his famous speeches "A house divided against itself cannot stand." It is now a state Historic Site. I was so bummed that it was "closed indefinitely" for repairs. Springfield does have a new capitol building which is absolutely gorgeous and is open for free tours, but unfortunately we ran out of time and couldn't visit it.
The Old State Capitol was built in 1837-1840 and served as the State House from 1840-1876, when it was replaced by the current State Capitol.
Pictured below is the Springfield Union Station. It is a former train station which is now operated by the Presidential Museum and Library. It opened in 1898 and operated until 1971. It is registered on the National Register of Historic Places. The New Clock Tower was constructed in 2006 to replicate the tower removed in 1946.
I hope you enjoyed my visit to the Land of Lincoln. Next week is Thanksgiving week, so I'll be taking that week off and I will continue with my fall vacation with a meet up with my kids and grandkids in Turkey Run State Park, Indiana!
Have A Great Day! Amy
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