Lincoln Home National Historic Site

The Lincoln Home is a two-story house with twelve rooms displaying furnishings and fixtures from the 1840s through 1860s. The rooms are arranged to show how a successful lawyer lived with his family during that period.

Abraham Lincoln moved into the house in 1844 as a rising lawyer and left it in 1861 as the elected President of the United States. This 17-year period saw his rise from local legal practice to the nation's highest office.

The rooms display personal items and furniture showing how the family lived and organized daily life in a 19th-century American household. The space reveals much about the habits and values of that era.

Visitors can join free tours, though booking ahead is wise during busy summer and holiday times. The adjacent visitor center provides background information and helps plan your visit.

After Lincoln's death, his son Robert Todd opened the house to the public in 1887 and insisted that admission remain free forever. This condition remains honored today, making it one of the few important historic houses without an entrance fee.

Location: Springfield

Operator: National Park Service

Website: https://nps.gov/liho

GPS coordinates: 39.79720,-89.64500

Latest update: December 14, 2025 08:19