| We absolutely love the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum in Springfield, Illinois. Back in 2005, I took the family with me to Indianapolis, Indiana, so I could attend training for the hand-grading of the MAP (Missouri Assessment Program) test. On the return trip, my wife, my one-year-old, and I stopped in Springfield to see a new museum that had just opened a week before. My wife and I were impressed, while the one-year-old didn't really care. Now, 11 years later, we returned to find this museum barely changed. My biggest advice also remains true - that arriving early is crucial, as you beat the crowds. |
Outside the theater, we took a turn at the pre-presidential portion of the museum, where one recognizes the eclectic nature of the place. Exhibits include wax figures, reproductions of posters, multimedia programs, special lighting effects, and actual objects. In 2005, I was taken aback by suddenly seeing my own reflection in Lincoln's shaving mirror.
Lincoln's political campaigns were brutal, as is demonstrated in the language of the candidates (and we think twice about blunt candidates today). Consider what our 16th president said of his opponent, Stephen Douglas:
His argument is as thin as the homeopathic soup that was made by boiling the shadow of a pigeon that had been starved to death.
Before going through the Treasures gallery, we took the kids to the Ghosts of the Library show, which is very nearly indescribable. In this show, the actor on stage tells about the importance of research in the presidential library across the street. Special holographic effects amaze the audience. Seeing the show for the second time, I knew what to expect. I made a point to look to my 12-year-old when the show ended; she was oh-mouthed, just as I was the first time through.
After the show, we took our turn in the White House, admiring the dresses of Mary Lincoln and others, we walked past the death of one of the Lincoln sons during a White House party, we were immersed by the team of rivals who attempted to advise the president concerning the war, we spotted the Lincoln's in the balcony at the theater (along with the dark figure sneaking through the curtain behind them, and we paid our respects to Lincoln's casket as it lay in state in a very somber scene. Finally, in the Treasures gallery, we gazed upon the Lincoln's china and one of Abe's stovepipe hats, sporting the fingerprints of the president due to his tipping of the hat to people.
This museum remains top-notch, and I highly recommend a visit. From our location in Joplin, Missouri, one should drive and spend the night before seeing this museum, another night before visiting Lincoln's house, tomb, and New Salem village, and another night before returning home. While other people choose to drive to the beach and take their vacations at amusement parks, we've tried to add something different to the itinerary. We want to make memories and provide our children experiences they will keep with them, and I can imagine they will want to relive those experiences with their own children in the future.