Abraham Lincoln Memorial Garden

Abraham Lincoln Memorial Garden is a botanical garden spanning 100 acres of woodlands and grasslands near Lake Springfield with native plants from three states. The grounds contain five miles of walking paths divided into two main sections with different landscape types.

The garden was founded in 1936 through the efforts of Harriet Knudson and began as agricultural land with only a few trees. It grew into a natural space that honors Lincoln's memory and earned recognition on the National Register of Historic Places.

The stone gathering rings placed throughout the grounds reflect local building traditions and create natural meeting points for visitors. These spaces encourage people to pause and connect with the land as communities have done for generations.

The site is walkable and easy to explore with marked trails leading through different landscape sections. Visitors should wear sturdy shoes and plan enough time to see both the woodland and prairie areas at a relaxed pace.

The grounds showcase Prairie School architecture principles through natural landscape design featuring 28 different canopy tree species. This combination of regional design style and restored prairie vegetation creates a distinctive place for understanding both architecture and conservation.

Location: Springfield

Location: Illinois

Location: Sangamon County

Inception: 1936

Architectural style: Prairie School architecture

Address: 2301 East Lake Shore Drive, Springfield, Illinois 62712

Website: http://lincolnmemorialgarden.org

GPS coordinates: 39.69722,-89.59722

Latest update: December 13, 2025 11:45