When your five-year-old is obsessed with Abraham Lincoln, going on a trip to Springfield, Illinois, is kind of like going to Disney World. Maybe even better. I like to say that Lucia is a super nerd – and I’m proud to say that – but her infatuation with Abraham Lincoln really takes it to a whole new level. I blame her pre-school teacher, Mrs. B. On Abe’s birthday last year, Mrs. B read a book to Lucia’s class about Honest Abe and Lucia hasn’t been quite the same since. It was also on that day that Lucia started asking when we could take a trip to Springfield. Her dream came true this past fall.
Illinois is known as the Land of Lincoln, even though Abe wasn’t even born here. But he spent several significant years in and around Springfield before going off to Washington, DC to serve as our nation’s 16th President. Just about everywhere you look in Springfield, there is something Lincoln-related. It could be an official historic site or landmark, or Abe’s face on a giant piece of wood cut into the shape of Illinois. Lucia became so excited each time she spotted Abe’s picture, statue, or likeness around town. It was a lot of fun for me to witness her enthusiasm for something so academic and historic (after all, she does get her super-nerdiness from me).
Our first Abe encounter was at Lincoln Tomb and War Memorials State Historic Site at Oak Ridge Cemetery. I had to give Lucia a boost so she could rub Abe’s nose…
We ran into the whole Lincoln family at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum (which is so awesome that it deserves its own blog post, which is forthcoming)…
Just down the road from the Lincoln Home National Historic Site, we found this campaign float…
And Lucia even got to pose with her main squeeze.
Consider this an intro to our Abe coverage. We’ve got lots more to come!
I remember going to Springfield as a child and loving it too. Glad Lucia is a “super nerd”. 😉
Val – Corn, Beans, Pigs and Kids recently posted…Comments for a Cause – Battle of the Badges
What a fun post! Thank you for sharing info on all the places one can see Abe (and family) in Springfield 🙂 If your daughter gets obsessed with colonial America, you know where you’ll have to bring her next, right? 🙂 Seriously, though, she sounds like a very smart young lady. Good for you for catering to her Abe obsession!
Jolanta aka Casual Traveler recently posted…The Museum of Fine Arts in Boston with kids
I am quite fascinated with Abe Lincoln too. I need to follow in Bonjour Amigo’s footsteps.
Traveling Ted recently posted…Costa Rica Jaco surf school adventure
Growing up I loved Abe too… I actually still do, I visited his son’s (family) home once in Manchester, VT – Hildene (worth considering when you come east coast again)… I actually saw one of his remaining top-hats So cool. Haopy to hear the young ones still appreciate his values and the history. I look forward to the/his Library post.
stay Abe-Loving, Craig
craig zabransky (@StayAdventurous) recently posted…the Sunset Sunday 2014 Review and 2015 Preview
Okay this is cute. So fun how you bring in the history of a place as you travel.
Megan recently posted…An Easy Weekend Getaway in Manhattan Beach
Oh I loved this article! How cute she is! I, too, share a love and passion for Abe and my teenage daughters friend feels the same way. She even has Lincoln’s signature tattooed on her foot! (odd enough I know) My daughter was fascinated with all the presidents so we made stops all across the country stopping in to learn more about each and every one but we never visited this place. How wonderful. I’ve never read anything about it and can’t wait to see the post about the library. If you wouldn’t mind, please remind me when it goes out so I don’t miss it. Awesome work!
Thats so fantastic that your daughter has a keen interest in history, I’m sure you are very proud, love the photo at the end, she looks so please haha!
So great, I have never been a history buff, but I have realised its much more fun to learn about history on travels.
Andreja recently posted…Vienna – what to see, what to do?
My wife has family in Springfield. In fact, she was born there. So we’ve made trips there off and on for years. An Easter visit in 2011 was extended by three days suddenly when we needed to stay for a funeral, so I took advantage of that extra time and took a then-4-year-old boy to some of the sites. Springfield is a fun town and a good weekend away. Looking forward to more posts.
Lance | Trips By Lance recently posted…30 First Dates: Romance and Travel Collide
I remember Stacey telling me about living in Springfield. She was the first to tell me about the famous horseshoe, too!
thanks for sharing your time in Springfield I almost wen there on a girlfriends getaway then the fight got cancelled
lorrie recently posted…Enjoy Winter in Virginia
Oh no, that’s too bad. You’ll have to try again. So much to see!
That’s so cute that she loves Lincoln so much! That picture of her on the bench is just so cute! I’ve been to Lincoln Home NHS in Springfield and I loved it.
Bailey K. recently posted…Inside Crater Lake National Park
Her infatuation with Abe really is darling, though sometimes I think it might be time for an intervention… 😉