The Journey, Part I - The Pre-Presidential Years

Journey I begins with the visitor entering Lincoln’s childhood log cabin home and journeys through to his famous, emotional farewell speech before leaving Springfield, Illinois, for Washington, D.C., where he will begin his first term as president.

Highlights include:

Lincoln’s Log Cabin

The original Lincoln family home is long lost. This recreation, nestled in the “woods” of Indiana where Lincoln grew up, has been assembled from authentic log cabins of the mid-19th century, and reconfigured to represent as accurately as possible Lincoln’s one room boyhood cabin. Inside, Lincoln is reading borrowed books as his father, stepmother and four siblings sleep.

The Slave Auction

The horrors of a family at auction being torn from one another by slavery and sold in separate directions are presented. This was a common tragedy in America at that time. Did Lincoln encounter such a scene during his trip down the Mississippi when he worked as a ferryman? 

Lincoln in New Salem

Lincoln’s first business venture, The Berry-Lincoln Store in New Salem, is recreated. This recreation is where you will see an awkward young Lincoln with Ann Rutledge. According to legend, Lincoln was in love with Miss Rutledge.

Life in Springfield

A gallery space presenting Lincoln’s life in Springfield, IL, including his courtship of Mary, his home life, his legal and political careers, his law practice and the Lincoln-Douglas debates.  You will discover Lincoln was a hopelessly permissive parent. 

Campaign 1860

Using multiple video monitors featuring an election analysis news program, the four-way presidential campaign of 1860 is brought to life. The complex race, in which Lincoln won, is made understandable to today’s audiences by accurately translating the issues and strategies of 1860 into the language and media of today.

And on to Washington . . .

First-term President-elect Abraham Lincoln makes his famous, emotional farewell speech from the back of his train before leaving Springfield, Illinois for Washington, D.C. He will not return alive.

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