Lincoln Related Sites: Special Study

The purpose of this study is to evaluate six sites associated with Abraham Lincoln in the Springfield, Illinois, area and to find a means for protecting and interpreting them. The sites are: New Salem Village, Petersburg; Colonel Matthew Rogers Store, Athens; Great Western Rail Depot, Springfield; Old State Capitol, Springfield; Lincoln Tomb, Springfield; and Lincoln Herndon Law Offices, Springfield. The study was requested by Illinois Representatives Paul Findley and Edward R. Madigan. See letter, Appendix C. A team from the Midwest Regional Office and Lincoln Home National Historic Site visited the sites October 17-19. The number of sites being considered requires that each be discussed separately. This discussion covers location, ownership, significance, resource description, threats, and a general section covering visitation, interpretation, and any other significant information. Two of the sites are registered National Historic Landmarks and two are on the National Register of Historic Places. One site is presently being considered for nomination to the National Register, however, to date no action has been taken. These designations are identified within the respective discussions. A meeting was held with the owners/managers of the properties while in Springfield. The discussions during this meeting brought out three concerns common to all the Lincoln associated properties. There is a need to increase visitation; a way to evenly spread the visitor among the various sites; and an absence of a coordinated effort to interpret Lincolns life in the Springfield area. Although each site deals with a different phase of Lincolns life, there is no coordinated effort between the owners/managers to create a unified picture of Lincoln in the Springfield area. The closest that such an effort has been made is when Sangamon State University received a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities. The purpose of the grant was to develop an interpretive program for most of the sites. Due to a reduction in the grant, the full program could not be implemented. Three sites were selected. The program developed is identified within the specific site discussion. The study team developed a series of alternatives dealing with the protection and interpretation of the sites.