Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum

The full Lincoln Family. These excellent wax figures stand in the court of the museum. You may photograph only in this atrium area; not in the exhibits or theaters. Many visitors pose with these life size figures for pictures. That always seems odd in a way. Obviously we are not contemporaries; but, people want to make a connection with history (or is it greatness).



In this theater, the story of or is it the portrait of Lincoln is told. There are screens on the left and right and ancillary images are displayed there as the story is told. The seating has motors connected underneath that shake you as the cannon fire and the cavalry charges. The stage apron opens and smoke rings from the cannon float through the theater. It is a very entertaining presentation about Lincoln's image and how it was shaped by events in his life.


This theater presents Ghosts in the Library. Done with special effects that uses projection to bring to live images that seem so real. The plot is explaining the function of the library and museum. How the artifacts are acquired and shared. You really ought to see it.

We have seen it twice and I would gladly see it again.



There is no photography 'in' the exhibits, but I took this photo from the atrium. This is Mary Todd Lincoln's dress. Also in that exhibit were dresses of Mrs. McClellan, etc. They are displayed in the open so you can really see the detail in fabric and construction. There is NO touching and NO photography.

There were people who think that doesn't apply to them. Invariably it has been middle aged to older women. It takes only moments for security personnel to reach them and reprimand them for their transgression. Last visit it was touching the fabric or leaning into the space too close and the sensors go off the guards are guided by and observer to the offender.
This visit it was a woman about forty taking pictures, the guard made her leave the exhibit.

This is a temporary exhibit area. The last time was dresses of the first ladies This time it was of Mrs. Lincoln and her contemporaries.

One of only five Gettysburg Address in Lincoln's own hand was also displayed. It is really a well done museum.




Here McClellan and Grant have coffee on the porch of the white house. I could walk right up to them and stare at what would be a offensive distance. They look remarkably real. The skin detail, the hair.


John Wilkes Booth evil wretch! Obviously guilty even here.





Across the street is the restored train station that Lincoln gave his farewell to Springfield address at. It is now used as a visitor center.