This is the home where Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln lived for 17 years prior to his presidency.
It likely started like this home. It was after having children and Lincoln’s legal practice doing well that they added the second story, which consisted of five bedrooms and a storage room.
This was their formal parlor. All but one piece of furniture is original, I think. This is the room where Lincoln received word that the 2nd ever-held Republican Convention in Chicago had nominated him. A group of party leaders rode the train to Springfield to present Lincoln with the formal nomination. Lincoln responded, in writing, with his acceptance four days later.
The hallway coat rack where Lincoln hung his hat, stored his umbrella. Front door and stairs to the upstairs bedrooms.
Lincoln’s desk located the corner of his bedroom. He and Mary had individual adjoining rooms in a master suite, common in upper middle class homes.
Notice the carpet and wallpaper, authentic replicas. The style was called Harmony in Contrast. As our guide said, “I see the contrast but not finding harmony.”
Mary’s bedroom. It is thought the bed had trundles for the two youngest sons, since the eldest, Robert, had the only other available bedroom.
Mary also had the luxury of an in-room commode. No in-house bathrooms, just the backyard outhouse.
Guest room with the original guest sleigh bed
Originally Robert’s room. When he left for school, the two younger boys shared.
Maid’s room. Mary had live-in hired help. With three boys and Lincoln gone traveling the region performing legal service for weeks at a time, she needed help.
Dining room
Kitchen. No ice box. Wood cook stove. Mary did most of the cooking.
I could go on and on about all we learned from our guide. We didn’t allow enough time to visit the library and museum. Another stop opportunity in the future.
More Illinois and Indiana tomorrow.
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