Lincoln home artifacts…national treasures, no charge

By Don Radebaugh – Abraham Lincoln’s home at 8th and Jackson Streets in Springfield, Illinois is truly one of the great artifacts in America, and thankfully, well preserved. Much in part thanks to Lincoln’s oldest son Robert Todd Lincoln, who sold the house to the state of Illinois for one dollar with two stipulations. Those two stipulations included a provision that the home would be kept in good repair always, and another that no one would ever be charged to visit the home. While Robert Todd left no provision for parking, which costs a few bucks, the home is still free today. And more than 350,000 people from around the world annually visit the home.

Unfortunately, the state of Illinois didn’t give the home its proper care and, as a result, the home came under the protection of the National Park Service in 1972, and you can thank President Nixon for that. The National Park Service then restored the home to its deserved grandeur. Thankfully, the maintenance the home receives is second to none.

For me, the home is an annual pilgrimage that I can’t seem to shake. I lost count on how many times I’ve been in the home, but I know it’s more than 50. When I’m inside I feel a connection to the 16th President that I can’t quite explain, but I know it’s real, and it comes alive each time I walk through.

It’s the only home that Lincoln ever owned, purchasing it in 1844 for $1500. It was a single story cottage originally; however, as Lincoln’s law practice flourished, Abraham and Mary had a second story added in 1856.

As interesting as the home is, the original artifacts inside are off-the-charts cool. While many of Lincoln’s personal belongings burned up in storage during the Chicago Fire of 1871, several of the Lincoln family furnishings have been, not only preserved, but returned over the decades.

Lincoln’s original shaving mirror is one of my favorite pieces in the home. It stands at just the right height to accommodate Lincoln’s six ft., four in. frame (still our tallest President). Because he didn’t start growing a beard until October 1860, we know he spent considerable time in front of the mirror, not to admire himself, but for the sole purpose of shaving with his single-blade razor. Lincoln was always clean shaven right up until he left for the Whitehouse in February of 1861. The mirror rests on the east wall in Lincoln’s upstairs bedroom. If you turn the mirror upside down, I can make out a face, but, for now, we won’t go there.

Also, note the wallpaper in Lincoln’s bedroom. It’s a reproduction, but an exact replica of the original decor. An original piece of the wallpaper was discovered under layers during the restoration and professionals recreated it for effect and authenticity.

In the northwest corner of Lincoln’s bedroom is his famous writing desk. Legend has it that his wife Mary Todd was not fond of the desk and continually set it outside for disposal. Unwilling to part with it, Lincoln would carry it right back in. She’d put it out and he’d bring it right back. It was a tug-of-war that went on for some time. Fortunately, Lincoln won the argument, and as a result, the desk was ultimately saved and remains one of the great treasures. No doubt he crafted many of his speeches on that desk, working late into the evening hours amidst the glow of candlelight, painstakingly searching his mind for all the right words.

Lincoln’s original chest of drawers and closet (pictured) have also been preserved and occupy space in his bedroom. I can imagine his trademark long black suit coats hanging in there and how many times he swung those doors open and closed.

The stereoscope (pictured side-by-side with the dining room table) in the downstairs family room is also of great interest to most. Lincoln dearly loved his children and purchased this piece so his boys, Willie and Tad, could look through the eye holes and see three-dimensional images of photos that slid in through the top. Pretty high-tech for its time. Lincoln’s second-born son Edward Baker died in the back parlor of the Lincoln home just shy of his fourth birthday. Willie died in 1862 in the Whitehouse. Tad died in Chicago in 1871, barely 18 years old.

The kitchen table in the Lincoln home is also original. Who wouldn’t have wanted to have been a fly on the wall when the Lincoln’s gathered around their dinner table for the even meal, kibitzing back in forth in their 1850s dialect.

Also original to the home is Lincoln’s bookshelf. On this day, a Park Ranger is working in the area. Note the plastic gloves. Not even Park Rangers are permitted to touch anything with bare hands. While it’s generally understood that the doors upstairs have been replaced since Lincoln’s time, the doors downstairs, the fireplace mantles, and the base boards are all original to the home. The mechanical doorbell is also original. A lever at the front door pulls a thin cable that rings the bell on the other side.

If you’ve not yet been to Springfield to see the Lincoln home, it’s well worth the time. There’s a very nice parking area just adjacent to the Visitor’s Center, which is also interesting to see. The home is just a short walk from the Visitor’s Center. The National Park Service is currently restoring the two-block area, which includes the homes of Lincoln’s neighbors. Two other homes in the neighborhood are also open and free to the public, including the Harriet Dean House, which is also a really nice museum.

Other Springfield attractions include the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, the Lincoln-Herndon Law Offices, the Old State Capitol, the Lincoln (train) Depot from which Lincoln departed for Washington on Feb. 11, 1861 and of course Lincoln’s Tomb in which he’s buried. For me, the tomb is much to final. I prefer to visit Mr. Lincoln at home where he lived and thrived, and, no doubt, enjoyed some of the best days of his life with his wife and the “dear codgers”…and Fido, the family dog.