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Looking For Lincoln The Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area It is the only National Heritage Area named for a president.

The Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area was designated by Congress and then the authorizing legislation was signed by the President on May 8, 2008. The legislation designates the Looking for Lincoln Heritage Coalition as the management entity for the heritage area. The coalition and the National Heritage Area cover the same 42 counties in central Illinois. They share a mission to preserve, interpret and promote the heritage and culture of the area, in the context of Abraham Lincoln’s life in Illinois. They further seek to inform and educate, develop and interpret visitor- ready sites, creating a living history experience , chronicling the evolution of the area’s landscape and extending these opportunities to the largest audience possible. By means of a thought-provoking engagement with rich stories and evocative tales of connections, the Heritage Area endeavorsto explore themes
related to Lincoln the lawyer and politician, Lincoln and civil rights, the Underground Railroad, and Lincoln and the Civil War. Under the leadership of the Looking for Lincoln Heritage Coalition, a consortium of central Illinois sites and communities with the crucial support of partners like the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency, the Illinois Office of Tourism, the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, and the National Park Service can now give visitors the opportunity to literally walk in Lincoln’s footsteps

THIS DAY IN LINCOLN HISTORY On October 15, 1874, the Lincoln Tomb in Springfield, IL dedicated attended by President Gr...
10/15/2026

THIS DAY IN LINCOLN HISTORY On October 15, 1874, the Lincoln Tomb in Springfield, IL dedicated attended by President Grant, former Illinois Governor Oglesby, and many others.

The Lincoln Tomb was dedicated nine years and six months to the day after Lincoln's death. The dedication date was chosen by the National Lincoln Monument Association.

Former Governor, and now United States Senator, Richard J. Oglesby, Chairman of the Association, officiated at the ceremony. The particular date was chosen as it would permit the Society of the Army of Tennessee, surviving veterans of the Civil War, in reunion in Springfield, to participate. The Tomb was now completed and would be opened to public visitation on October 29.

Much difficulty was experienced by the Association in obtaining a person of prominence to assume the task of delivering the dedicatory address. General U.S. Grant, then President of the United States, was the first choice of the Association, but Grant declined the honor, feeling that he was incapable of doing justice to the memory of the illustrious dead.

Grant did attend the dedication and did deliver a brief, but for him, a lengthy address. Among the several persons invited to be the orator of the day were former Civil War General, John A. Dix, former Secretary of the Navy, Gideon Welles, and former Governor of Indiana, Oliver P. Morton. All declined, giving various reasons that they could not accept the honor.

The Association met and passed a resolution naming Richard J. Oglesby to be the speaker, an invitation that he graciously accepted.

When he completed his address, two Dominican nuns from Jacksonville unveiled the heroic statue of Abraham Lincoln at the front of the obelisk.

Info from The Sangamon County Historical Society. Learn more by visiting their website at:
https://sangamoncountyhistory.org

THIS DAY IN LINCOLN HISTORY On October 15, 1858, Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas have their final of 7 debates in A...
10/15/2026

THIS DAY IN LINCOLN HISTORY On October 15, 1858, Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas have their final of 7 debates in Alton, Illinois.

Never in American history had there been widespread newspaper coverage of political debates. Both candidates felt they were speaking to the whole nation, which helped Lincoln becoming a prominent national figure. The debate's main topic was the expansion of slavery in the United States as the country expanded, and was the final debate of the famous series.

Lincoln said in Alton:

"It is the eternal struggle between these two principles—right and wrong—throughout the world. ... It is the same spirit that says, "You work and toil and earn bread, and I'll eat it." No matter in what shape it comes, whether from the mouth of a king who seeks to bestride the people of his own nation and live by the fruit of their labor or from one race of men as an apology for enslaving another race, it is the same tyrannical principle."

Lincoln also used a number of colorful phrases in the debates. He said that one argument by Douglas made a horse chestnut into a chestnut horse, and he compared an evasion by Douglas to the sepia cloud from a cuttlefish. In Quincy, Lincoln said that Douglas's Freeport Doctrine was do-nothing sovereignty that was "as thin as the homeopathic soup that was made by boiling the shadow of a pigeon that had starved to death."

Learn more about visiting the Alton Lincoln-Douglas Debate Square at:
https://www.riversandroutes.com/directory/lincoln-douglas-square

Info from Wikipedia.

Final Weekend to Experience Lincoln's New Salem After Dark! Candlelight Walks are ongoing at Lincoln's New Salem near Pe...
10/14/2026

Final Weekend to Experience Lincoln's New Salem After Dark!

Candlelight Walks are ongoing at Lincoln's New Salem near Petersburg, IL. The walks are from 5PM to 7:30PM each Friday, Saturday, and Sunday until October 18th!

The historic village where Lincoln lived will be lined with lanterns that are lit each night. Interpreters will host most of the candlelit buildings to discuss 1830s daily life and Abraham Lincoln.
..And there will be FREE hot chocolate!

This is a FREE event, no reservations or tickets required.

Learn more at:
https://www.visitspringfieldillinois.com/LocationDetails/?id=Lincoln%27s-New-Salem-State-Historic-Site

THIS DAY IN LINCOLN HISTORY On October 13, 1858, Lincoln and Douglas debate in Quincy, Illinois. The debates focused on...
10/13/2026

THIS DAY IN LINCOLN HISTORY On October 13, 1858, Lincoln and Douglas debate in Quincy, Illinois.

The debates focused on slavery, specifically on whether it should be allowed in the new states to be formed from the western federal territories acquired through the Louisiana Purchase of 1803 and the Mexican Cession of 1849.

Douglas, as the Democratic candidate, held that the decision should be made by the white residents of the new states rather than by the federal government ("popular sovereignty"). Lincoln argued against the expansion of slavery, yet stressed that he was not advocating its abolition where it already existed.

Newspapers reported 12,000 in attendance in Ottawa (Illinois), 16,000 to 18,000 in Galesburg, 15,000 in Freeport, 12,000 in Quincy, and at the last debate in Alton, 5,000 to 10,000.

The debates near Illinois's borders (Freeport, Quincy, and Alton) drew large numbers of people from neighboring states. A number traveled within Illinois to follow the debates.

Learn more about visiting the Lincoln-Douglas Debate Museum and square where the debates where held in Quincy at:
https://seequincy.com/locations/lincoln-douglas-debate-interpretive-center/

Info from Wikipedia.

It's Spooky Season in the Land of Lincoln! The C.H. Moore Homestead DeWitt County Museum will be celebrating "Halloween ...
10/12/2026

It's Spooky Season in the Land of Lincoln!

The C.H. Moore Homestead DeWitt County Museum will be celebrating "Halloween at the Homestead" on Sunday, October 25, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the C.H. Moore Homestead DeWitt County Museum, located at 219 E. Woodlawn Street in Clinton.

C.H. Moore was a close associate of Abraham Lincoln. Moore was a loyal supporter and active promoter of Lincoln’s political endeavors, was heavily involved in one of the future President’s campaign events, including a Republican barbecue with Lincoln as featured speaker. There is also documentation of Lincoln spending the night as a guest in Moore’s large brick rural home.

The museum's 19th century carriage barn will be transformed with festive Halloween decorations, creating a fun and welcoming atmosphere for visitors of all ages. Guests can enjoy complimentary apple c***r and refreshments, along with plenty of treats for children.

This free event is open to everyone, including youngsters, families, and adults. Costumes are encouraged, but guests may also “come as you are.”

For more information about this or any of our other “America 250 at the Homestead” events taking place each month throughout this milestone year, call 217-935-6066, visit chmoorehomestead.org, or find them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093361254886

THIS DAY IN LINCOLN HISTORY On October 10, 1857, one of the more unusual of Lincoln's court cases was playing out. Abra...
10/10/2026

THIS DAY IN LINCOLN HISTORY On October 10, 1857, one of the more unusual of Lincoln's court cases was playing out.

Abraham Lincoln attempted to defend Melissa Goings, a seventy-year-old woman accused of killing her abusive husband from a blow to the back of his head, which Melissa was alleged to have inflicted with a piece of firewood. Town legend claims that most felt sorry for Melissa and did not want to prosecute her.

While in custody of the sheriff, she was able to escape.

A bailiff accused Lincoln of chasing her off, but in one version he told the judge: "Your Honor, I did not run her off. She wanted to know where she could get a good drink of water, and I told her there was mighty good water in Tennessee.”

No effort was made to bring her back.

There is a statue in the park in Metamora, IL to commemorate the trial, and the courthouse is open for tours. Learn more at: https://www.enjoyillinois.com/explore/listing/metamora-courthouse/

Explore History After Dark in New Salem!Candlelight Walks are ongoing at Lincoln's New Salem near Petersburg, IL. The ...
10/08/2026

Explore History After Dark in New Salem!

Candlelight Walks are ongoing at Lincoln's New Salem near Petersburg, IL. The walks are from 5PM to 7:30PM each Friday, Saturday, and Sunday until October 18th!

The historic village where Lincoln lived will be lined with lanterns that are lit each night. Interpreters will host most of the candlelit buildings to discuss 1830s daily life and Abraham Lincoln.
..And there will be FREE hot chocolate!

This is a FREE event, no reservations or tickets required.

Learn more at:
https://www.visitspringfieldillinois.com/LocationDetails/?id=Lincoln%27s-New-Salem-State-Historic-Site

THIS DAY IN LINCOLN HISTORY On October 7, 1858, Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas held their 5th debate in Galesburg ...
10/07/2026

THIS DAY IN LINCOLN HISTORY On October 7, 1858, Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas held their 5th debate in Galesburg at Knox College.

At Galesburg, using quotes from Lincoln's Chicago address, Douglas sought again to prove that Lincoln was an abolitionist because of his insistence upon the principle that "all men are equal".

The Lincoln–Douglas debates were a series of seven debates in 1858 between Abraham Lincoln, the Republican Party candidate for the United States Senate from Illinois, and incumbent Senator Stephen Douglas, the Democratic Party candidate.
The debates focused on slavery, specifically on whether it should be allowed in the new states to be formed from the western federal territories acquired through the Louisiana Purchase of 1803 and the Mexican Cession of 1849.

Douglas, as the Democratic candidate, held that the decision should be made by the white residents of the new states rather than by the federal government ("popular sovereignty"). Lincoln argued against the expansion of slavery, yet stressed that he was not advocating its abolition where it already existed.

The debates were designed to generate publicity—some of the first examples of what in modern parlance would be characterized as "media events". For Lincoln, they were an opportunity to raise both his state and national profile and that of the burgeoning Republican Party.

The Old Main building, location of the debate, is the only extant site of the debates. Two years after the debates, during his presidential campaign, Lincoln was awarded Knox College's first honorary doctorate—a Doctor of Laws degree, announced at the commencement exercises of 5 July 1860.

Learn more about visiting Galesburg at:
https://experiencegalesburg.com/

Info from Wikipedia. Photo from the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield, Illinois. Learn more about the museum at:
http://presidentlincoln.illinois.gov/

It's Burgoo Time! Make memories at this year's LaSalle County Burgoo Festival October 10th and 11th in Utica, Illinois. ...
10/06/2026

It's Burgoo Time! Make memories at this year's LaSalle County Burgoo Festival October 10th and 11th in Utica, Illinois.

Join Mr. Lincoln at the LaSalle County Historical Society Museum’s Heritage Center on Saturday, Oct 10 and Sunday, October 11 at 1:30 pm, where he will speak on his time in LaSalle County and the I&M Canal. You can also visit with him at various sites during the festival.

The LaSalle County Burgoo Festival is an annual event that occurs during Columbus Day weekend in Utica, IL. It is a fundraiser for the LaSalle County Historical Society. Burgoo stew is cooked during Saturday night, and served on Sundays only. The event includes numerous vendors and events throughout the weekend.

Learn more at:
https://www.facebook.com/lasallecountyburgoo

Looking for Lincoln is proud to help bring Lincoln to the LaSalle County Burgoo Festival!

THIS DAY IN LINCOLN HISTORY On October 5, 1818, Lincoln’s Mother, Nancy Hanks Lincoln, dies in Indiana at age 34.Nancy L...
10/05/2026

THIS DAY IN LINCOLN HISTORY On October 5, 1818, Lincoln’s Mother, Nancy Hanks Lincoln, dies in Indiana at age 34.

Nancy Lincoln died from milk sickness or consumption in 1818 at the Little Pigeon Creek Community in Spencer County when Abraham was nine years old. Abraham assisted his father in the making of her coffin by whittling the wooden pegs that held the planks together. Eleven-year-old Sarah cared for Abraham until their father remarried the next year.

There is no known photo of Nancy Hanks. The image with this post is from an exhibit at the Lincoln Heritage Museum in Lincoln, IL, about the Lincoln Family tree.

Learn more about visiting the Lincoln Heritage Museum at
https://museum.lincolncollege.edu/

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P. O. Box 5398
Springfield, IL
62705

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