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!

History of American Pies
Sunday, September 17, 2:00 pm
Vistor Center Auditorium

… and Illinois is well represented! Pies are as American as pizza is American: we took a great idea, adapted it to our needs and ran with it. Our ancestors used what they had available locally and made the most from it. You might be thinking that pies are just for dessert, but for our American ancestors, they were often considered survival food. Sometimes, they ate pie for breakfast, lunch and dinner for months at a time. Catherine Lambrecht, who achieved Grand Champion and Best of Show at the Lake County Fair for apple pie, will present the history of pies in America and our state. Illinois’ contribution to our country’s pie culture includes the following: Pumpkin Pie is Illinois’ State Pie, with over 90 percent of canned pumpkin grown in Illinois the pecan pie Did you know Johnny Appleseed roamed our state? Apples originating in Kazakhstan are an introduced crop everywhere in the Americas. Lambrecht will share a story from the Family Heirloom Recipe Contest at the Illinois State Fair of love, family, a special pie, and a gift of immeasurable value.

Harvest Frolic
Saturday and Sunday, September 23-24
10 am to 4 pm

Come celebrate the arrival of autumn at the Harvest Frolic on Saturday and Sunday, September 23 and 24 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. Don't miss experiencing 19th-century life on the farm! Activities will take place at both the Lincoln and Sargent farms and will include children's games, crafts, vintage base ball, and hearth cooking. Visitors are encouraged to take part in period games and activities and get their photo with President Lincoln! A number of artisans will be on site demonstrating their crafts including, spinning, pottery, ropemaking, blacksmithing, tinsmithing, embroidery, and many other 19th-century crafts.  Enjoy performances from The Unreconstructed String Band, storyteller and dulcimer player Mike Anderson, and classic Americana circus performers KB Circus Spectacular. On Saturday, Ancient Athletics will be showcasing Celtic culture and games with visitors, and on Sunday will demonstrate Highlander games of competition. Also on Sunday go on a nature walk or watch a performance from storyteller Brian "Fox" Ellis, historic cricket demonstrations will also be available on Sunday. Food trucks both days include Slow-Spark BBQ, J.D.'s Smokehouse, Kettle Korn, How I Roll Bake Shop, and We-Lik-It ice cream. A pop-up farmers market at the front of the park will feature Four Little Pumpkins Farm. See schedule of events here

Moving Day with Laura Ingalls Wilder
Sunday, October 15, 2:00 pm
Visitor Center Auditorium

It’s Moving Day for Laura Ingalls Wilder! In this presentation Laura is preparing to move her family from South Dakota to Missouri in the Spring of 1894. This program displays the challenges and some of the fun aspects of life on the frontier in 1870s and 1880s. Come and learn about the chores Laura had as a girl, and discover what special things she is packing up for her big move. Laura Keyes will be delighting audiences with this presentation.  Laura Keyes is the Director of the Dunlap Public Library in Central Illinois. She recently received the “Excellence in Performance” award from the Association of Lincoln Presenters. Presentation is free and appropriate for all ages.  

Basket Weaving Workshop
Saturday, October 21, 10:00 am
Visitor Center basement

Introduction to Basket Weaving: Weaving a Bread Basket All materials will be provided including lunch, and by the end of the day participants will take home a 4” H x 7” W x 13 3/4” L bread basket. 

$60 includes lunch and all materials, register here