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Lincoln Home National Historic Site

Museum
In Springfield, Illinois
0.1 mi from Route 66
National Register of Historic Places

Lincoln Home National Historic Site in Springfield, IL, preserves Abraham Lincoln's house, his home from 1844 to 1861, before he became the 16th president. The National Park Service runs the site, which covers the four blocks around the home as well as a visitor center. It is a National Historic Landmark and sits about 0.4 mile off the old road, an easy and rewarding detour from Route 66.

What is Lincoln Home National Historic Site?

This is a historic house museum, with the Lincoln home at the center of a preserved neighborhood. The protected area takes in the four blocks around the house, so the setting is part of the experience, not just the building. The site also includes a visitor center, the natural place to begin.

The site carries two federal honors: it is a National Historic Landmark and it is listed on the National Register. The National Park Service operates it as a presidential memorial.

History of Lincoln Home National Historic Site

This was Lincoln's home for about 17 years, from 1844 until 1861. His time here ended as he was about to become the nation's 16th president, which is why the home and the blocks around it were later set aside as a memorial to him.

Visiting Lincoln Home National Historic Site: tips

Plan on at least an hour or two, since the site covers several blocks as well as a visitor center. Start at the visitor center, then walk the preserved streets at an easy pace. Check the National Park Service website for current visiting details before you go.

Several other historic houses sit within a short walk: the Cong. James M. Graham House and the Price/Wheeler House are each about 0.1 mile away, and the Elijah Iles House about 0.2 mile. Put together, they make a compact walking tour of old Springfield without moving the car. The site is only about 0.4 mile off the old road, so it fits neatly into a Route 66 day in Springfield.

Practical info

Address: 508 South 8th Street, Springfield, IL 62703
Website: nps.gov/liho/index.htm
Hours: We have no opening hours for this stop yet — check the official site.
On site & nearby

Sources: OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL) · Wikidata · official site — may be outdated. Suggest a fix

Where to eat near Lincoln Home National Historic Site

All diners →

Diner & restaurant
Charlie Parker's Diner
Springfield, IL · 2.4 mi from Lincoln Home National Historic Site
A Springfield diner dating from 1992, handy for a meal while exploring the Illinois capital on Route 66.
Diner & restaurant
Cozy Dog Drive In
Springfield, IL · 2.4 mi from Lincoln Home National Historic Site
A Springfield drive-in known for its cornmeal-battered Cozy Dogs, Route 66 memorabilia and guest book.