Travels with Marty
Last February, I took an Amtrak train out of Chicago to Springfield and St. Louis. Since I have always been a fan of Lincoln, and had never been to St. Louis and seen the arch, I got two for the price of one, all in three days.
The State Capitol Building of Illinois, under some repair. A fine Lincoln statue in front of the capitol. It was closed. I didn't see the inside. Impressive exterior though.
The Lincoln Museum featured many wax figures in detailed historical settings. This one, features the Lincoln boys goofing off Lincoln's Springfield office, while their dad relaxes.
A letter from Lincoln's law partner, suggests Lincoln wasn't the most disciplinary parent, and his boys would often misbehave around the office, while Lincoln read his law papers.
Tours are offered at the Lincoln's home, which is set on a street with other historically preserved properties, with signs describing the original neighbors of Abe and Mary.
The inside is restored to original Lincoln-family appearance. It is quite surreal to walk around this simple home, and imagine the day-to-day existence of such a mythological and powerful historical figure as Lincoln.
Lincoln's tomb is both memorial and burial site. It is set outside the city of Springfield, in a beautiful tree-laden cemetery park. You can take a tour bus to it from downtown Springfield.
Walking around the obelisk-topped structure, I saw a door in front, but didn't immediately realize there was an interior chamber open to visitors.
Inside, there was a tour guide, and a circular hallway, which slowly led me to the rear of the structure, where Lincoln's Tomb is lit somberly and reverently.