Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum

We were on an Abraham Lincoln roll as we arrived in Springfield, Illinois.  So we spent a few days learning even more about him.

The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum is a state-of-the-art facility which was carefully designed with exacting historical detail.  The well-preserved artifacts tell the entire life story of the country's 16th President.  Dedicated to the life and legacy of Abraham Lincoln, the Presidential Museum is unlike any other in the country and features hi-tech exhibits, interactive displays, and multimedia programs, as well as a reproduction of the White House as it looked in 1861.  The holographic and special effects theaters show ghostly images, live actors and high action.

This family was at the entrance waiting to greet us.  There was some empty space so I took advantage of it.

Ron had war strategy discussions with Generals McClellan and Grant.  Disclaimer: these two were both 5'8" in real life so either the museum took liberty with their height or Ron has shrunk - A LOT - since we hit the road.

The movie orienting us to the museum was well done.  It seems that many of the museums are utilizing holograms rather than traditional movies.

The first exhibit focused on Lincoln's life before the presidency.  Reading books by candlelight or fire side, after long hours at school or on the farm, proved invaluable to young Lincoln.

He later served as a store clerk, a river trader, and a "rail-splitter" so he was used to hard physical labor.

Mary Todd met her husband in the late 1830s.  They were both from Kentucky but unlike Abraham, Mary was born into wealth and privilege.  They were married on November 4, 1842.

Mary Todd, even more so than her husband, was a staunch abolitionist.  She supported his political career as he rose from the Illinois legislature to become one of the country's most charismatic political orators to speak against slavery.  Even early on in his career, Lincoln received death threats from pro-slavery southerners, and Mary Todd was labeled a traitor to her southern Kentucky roots.  During the Civil War, she felt a deep sense of estrangement and tragedy; most of her male family members fought on the side of the Confederacy.  To make matters worse, she was often criticized in newspapers and social circles for what was perceived as undue influence on her husband's political appointments.

One reporter went so far as to blame Ms. Lincoln for causing the president's health to deteriorate, giving him a gaunt frame and hollow cheeks.  Those features were more likely caused by a debilitating wasting syndrome called Marfan's disease and the burden of governing a nation at war with itself.

The changing face of Abraham Lincoln, 1860-1865

Many interesting items were on display.

The stamp used by Lincoln to imprint the presidential seal in wax on confidential letters and official documents.

One of the most tragic experiences of the White House years was the death of their son, Willie.

The displays were very life like.  At the end of an otherwise routine meeting, Lincoln surprised his cabinet by reading his draft of the Emancipation Proclamation.  He said at the time that his mind was made up on what he was going to say and that he simply wanted their input on how best to implement the Proclamation.  The Proclamation freed slaves in enemy territory and was sure to be controversial because it only applied to states that had seceded from the US leaving slavery untouched in the loyal border states.  After listening to his cabinet's concerns, Lincoln decided to wait before issuing the document to the public.

A beautiful portrait portraying Lincoln's delivery of the Gettysburg Address.

This hand-made doll may seem like a loving tribute to Abraham Lincoln but it's actually a piece of Anti-Lincoln campaign paraphernalia, likely from the 1864 election.  Pull back Lincoln's paper face to reveal a black face - a hostile reference to his emancipation policies.

And then it was on to that fateful day at Ford's Theater.  A chair from the orchestra level.

And the display showing the box where Mrs. and Mrs. Lincoln sat.

Oh no, it's John Wilkes Booth!  Remember the door we saw at the theater?

No social media - it makes me wonder how long it took for people to hear the news.

Of course, Mary was devastated.

Some post assassination discoveries.

And then the funeral.  After the John Kennedy assassination, I was fascinated with the funeral and learned then the similarities between the Lincoln and Kennedy funerals.

Kennedy didn't have a Funeral Train even though Lincoln did and it criss-crossed the country.

Whew, that was exhausting.  As we looked around the gift shop after our visit, I could see why this might be a best selling item.

Don't worry -  more on our friend Abe with tomorrow's visit.