Lincoln Log Cabin State Historic Site, part of the Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area, preserves the 19th-century home of Thomas Lincoln and Sarah Bush Lincoln, father and step-mother of our 16th president. Abraham Lincoln was a lawyer living in Springfield by the time his parents moved here, but his burgeoning law practice often brought him to Charleston and the farm, especially during the 1840s. Abraham Lincoln also owned a portion of the farm which he deeded back to his father and step-mother for their use during their lifetime.

Today Lincoln Log Cabin is an 86-acre historic site that is owned and operated by the State of Illinois, managed by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Division of Historic Sites. The site includes an accurate reproduction of the Lincolns' two-room cabin that was reconstructed on the original cabin site in 1935-1936 as a Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) project. The National Park Service oversaw the creation of Lincoln Log Cabin State Park with CCC labor. The CCC camp, Camp Shiloh, was located within the park's boundaries and its enrollees were WWI veterans. Today the ten acres in the northwest corner of the park where Camp Shiloh was located is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

A working, living history farm has been developed around the cabin, and a second historic farmstead, that of Stephen and Nancy Sargent, has been moved to the site to help broaden visitors' understanding both of life in the 19th century and Lincoln's legal practice in the community. The site also includes the Moore Home, where Lincoln bid farewell to his family in 1861 before leaving to assume the Presidency, and the gravesites of Thomas and Sarah Lincoln at the Thomas Lincoln Cemetery.

Upcoming Events!

Midwest Open Air Museum Coordinating Council Fall Conference
November 6-8
Hilton Garden Inn, Mattoon  

Living History, beginning in the latter part of the 20th century, radically changed how history is taught, shifting from traditional museum settings to experiential, hands-on learning and opening new vistas in museum education. In addition to museums, cultures such as the Amish have also preserved many aspects of the 19th and early 20th centuries. Come join us in a look at how both living history museums and the Illinois Amish are preserving our heritage. Conference Host Sites - The Illinois Amish Heritage Center, Lincoln Log Cabin State Historic Site, & The Five Mile House. Register here for the conference. 

Thanksgiving on Goosenest Prairie
Friday, November 28, 10 am to 4pm
Lincoln Cabin

 Learn about Abraham Lincoln’s establishment of Thanksgiving as a national holiday at the home of his parents, Thomas and Sarah Lincoln, on Friday, November 28th from 10am-4pm. Visit with the Lincoln family as they prepare for a Thanksgiving feast, mid-19th century style! The Goosenest Prairie Gift Shop, run by volunteers from the Lincoln Log Cabin Foundation, will be open during the event and features many new holiday items, including many locally-sourced products and a great selection of items handcrafted by Lincoln Log Cabin’s talented volunteers.

Saturday Story Series
December 6, 10 am
Visitor Center

Join us at 10 a.m. on the first Saturday of every month for story time! Featuring the reading of a historically-themed children's book followed by activities and crafts, this free program helps to engage youngsters ages 5-10 in American history and bring the stories to life. All youth must be accompanied by an adult. 

Old Fashioned Christmas on the Prairie
Sunday, December 7, 1pm to 4 pm

Come out to enjoy an old-fashioned Christmas on the Prairie and get away from the hustle and bustle of holiday chores! Stop into the Visitor Center, which is decorated for the season. Enjoy light refreshments and visit the children's craft stations. Take a stroll out to the Lincoln Farm while our volunteers bake gingerbread on the hearth, and take a horse and carriage ride around the site. The Goosenest Prairie Gift Shop, run by volunteers from the Lincoln Log Cabin Foundation, will be open during the event and features many new holiday items, including many locally-sourced products and a great selection of items handcrafted by Lincoln Log Cabin’s talented volunteers. 

Journey To Freedom: Illinois' Underground Railroad Exhibit
August 2 - December 31
Visitor Center- Sargent Gallery 

stories A new exhibit highlighting the courageous stories of freedom seekers and the multi-racial conductors who assisted them on the Underground Railroad in Illinois are featured in a new exhibit Journey to Freedom: Illinois’ Underground Railroad. This exhibit tells selected stories of freedom seekers, conductors and communities in Illinois that were part of the journey to freedom on the Illinois Underground Railroad. Using photos, videos, maps, personal stories, and illustrations created specifically for the exhibit, visitors will learn the about the people and communities who took part in this hidden history. Highlighted stories include freedom seekers John and Eliza Little, who traveled barefoot through Illinois to Canada to gain their freedom, or conductors like Henry who worked for Abraham Lincoln, and Mary Ann King Brown who helped the enslaved to freedom in the Springfield, Quincy and Galena areas. Many of the known communities are included, from Cairo through Springfield to Quincy and Chicago. Other featured areas are Brooklyn/Freedom Village, Miller Grove, Rocky Fork, Galesburg, Mount Hope, Jacksonville and New Philadelphia. Journey to Freedom: Illinois’ Underground Railroad is proudly presented by The Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area, also known as Looking for Lincoln.