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!

Bluegrass Jam
Saturday, August 14 - 11:00 am to 4:00 pm

Anyone with a love of this traditional style of music is welcome; bring lawn chairs or a blanket. Those who play an instrument are encouraged to bring theirs along and join in a jam session with one of the many informal groups playing in the park. Volunteers will be selling concessions.

Harvest Frolic 2022!
Saturday and Sunday, September 24 and 25 - 10:00 am to 4:00 pm

Come celebrate the arrival of autumn at the Harvest Frolic on Saturday and Sunday, September 24 and 25 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, and hearth cooking. Visitors are encouraged to take part in period games and activities. A number of artisans will be on site demonstrating their crafts including, spinning, pottery, broommaking, blacksmithing, embroidery, and many other 19th-century crafts. The Unreconstructed String Band will perform, storyteller and dulcimer player, Mike Anderson, will perfom, the Clockwork Clown will be returning, take in the view with the Grand Camera Obscura, sideshow performers Hoosier Spectacle will perform sideshow stunts of sword swallowing and juggling, Common Stock Entertainment will showcase their cabinet of curiosities, and on Sunday only 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, Highway Heartburn hamburgers, Donut Dollies mini-donuts, Kettle Korn, and We-Lik-It ice cream arrives on Sunday. A pop-up farmers market at the front of the park will feature Four Little Pumpkins Farm.  Click here for the schedule.