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!

Easter Fun on the Farms
Sunday, April 2, 1-3 pm

Celebrate a presidential tradition at Lincoln Log Cabin State Historic Site! The Lincolns and Sargents will be hosting a traditional Egg Roll and Easter Egg Hunt, a craft activity, and a story time for children. The Easter Egg Hunt begins at 1:30 p.m., and the Egg Roll begins at 2:30 p.m. Children (12 and under) will be divided into age groups, with each group having staggered start times. 

Amateur Radio Club Event
Saturday, April 15 , 11 am - 3 pm

 The National Trail Amateur Radio Club (NTARC) members will participate in a special event to mark the anniversary of the death of President Lincoln on Saturday, April 15th from 11am to 3pm. This special event station will be set up at the Visitor Center. Nearly 150 years before the advent of texts, tweets and e-mail, President Abraham Lincoln became the first “wired president” by embracing the original electronic messaging technology—the telegraph. The 16th president may be remembered for his soaring oratory that stirred the Union, but the nearly 1,000 bite-sized telegrams that he wrote during his presidency helped win the Civil War by projecting presidential power in unprecedented fashion. During the Civil War, telegraph wires were strung to follow the action on the battlefield. But there was no telegraph office in the White House, so Lincoln went across the street to the War Department to get the news. President Lincoln frequently slept on a cot in the telegraph room to hear the news of major battles. The NTARC members will be communicating with other amateurs from across the world using the Special Event call sign, W9L. This offers a great opportunity to learn about Ham Radio. Visitors will be allowed to talk on the radios under the direct supervision of an FCC licensed amateur. Brochures and handouts will be available about amateur radio. 

Hand Quilting Workshop
Saturday, April 29, 10 am - 1 pm

 Visitor Center Basement Come do an exploration of hand quilting methods and designs with fiber artisan Cathy Grafton. See examples of how to create quilting that will enhance your quilt top. Learn some ways to mark your top, what kind of threads and needles to use and see how to create unmarked techniques, background fillers, and specialties like stipple quilting. Practice time in class will include ways to help improve your stitches, tips and techniques and how to start and stop without knots. Batting, needles and quilting threads will be provided. Please bring small scissors, sewing notions, favorite marking tools and a piece of solid cotton fabric about 10 x 12 inches to practice your quilting stitches on. We will also have fabric pieces on hand for you to choose from. You may also bring a top you want to design quilting for, if desired. Refreshments provided. Workshop fee: $50. Register here.

 Threads of History – The Story of the Bayeux Tapestry
Presented by Cathy Grafton Sunday, April 30, 2:00 pm
Visitor Center Auditorium

 This world-famous embroidery depicts the meeting of Harold of England and William, Duke of Normandy, later the Conqueror then graphically illustrates the 1066 Battle of Hastings. Created with a few years of the battle; it continues to hold mysteries, which intrigue us to this day. Cathy Grafton will tell the story of the tapestry, the history of almost 1,000 years, how it was made and also bring stitched sections based on the original design. 

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