Mr. Lincoln’s 

Neighborhood News

Will You, Won’t You Join Us?

Special focus on Bicentennial Events at Lincoln Home National Historic Site

Page 2. Lincoln Home, 

for the Holidays

Page 3. Museum Matters Letter from the Superintendent...2

Lincoln Home for the Holidays...2

The Giving Season...3

Museum Matters...3

Mission Statement...4

Editor’s Note...4

Find out how the Lincoln’s spent their 

holidays and what traditions they enjoyed 

in this article about the 1860s take on 

Christmas.

Museum artifacts can now be viewed 

online! Find out more about our Teaching 

with Museum Collections. 

The time is here at last! The Abraham 

Lincoln 200th birthday celebration 

is in full swing! We encourage you to 

come enjoy our special events taking 

place throughout 2009. For details 

on these events, see our Update 

Insert or call 217-492-4241. 

February 7th, 2009

8:45am-4:40pm (throughout the 

year) Lincoln Home tours with 

uniformed and costumed staff. 

9:00am-4:00pm Ranger Talks and 

Living History Programs. Lincoln 

Neighborhood and Visitor Center. 

1:00pm-3:00pm Unveiling of 

restored Lincoln Campaign Banner, 

new film premiere, and park wide 

restoration update. Lincoln Home 

Visitor Center.

February 11th, 2009

10:30am Lincoln’s Farewell Address

reenactment Prairie Capitol 

Convention Center.

February 12th, 2009

9:30am-10:00am and 4:00pm4:30pm Children’s book signing. 

Lincoln Home Visitor Center.

10:00am-11:00am and 4:30pm5:30pm Children’s story telling with 

Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln Home 

Visitor Center.

1:00 pm-2:00pm and 2:30pm-3:30pm

George L. Painter Lincoln Lectures. 

Lincoln Home Visitor Center. 

February 13th, 2009

9:00am-11:30pm Lincoln and 

Leadership. Hoogland Center for 

the Arts. Advanced registration 

requested.

2:00pm-3:00pm Abraham, Frederick, 

Harriet, and Martin: Part I. Lincoln 

Home Visitor Center.

February 14th, 2009

10:00am-11:00am Abraham, 

Frederick, Harriet, and Martin: Part 

II. Location TBD. 

1:00pm Music of the Lincoln Era. 

Lincoln Home Visitor Center.

4:00pm-5:00pm Abraham Lincoln: 

A Biography of Words and Music. 

Lincoln Home Visitor Center.

Staff in period appropriate dress.

Be sure to check out our special Ranger Talks 

and programs.

Winter 2008/2009 Vol. 1 No. 3

Lincoln Home

National Historic Site

National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior
Lincoln Home, for the Holidays

2 Mr. Lincoln’s Neighborhood News, Winter 2008/2009

We invite you to attend and 

participate in Lincoln Home 

National Historic Site’s February 

11 to 15, 2009 Abraham 

Lincoln Bicentennial celebration 

of his birth. There will be 

special living history and park 

ranger guided tours and 

programs in various locations 

throughout the park; children’s 

story telling sessions with 

Abraham Lincoln and authors 

of children’s books on Lincoln; 

the George L. Painter Lincoln 

scholar lectures; a workshop 

on Lincoln and leadership; a 

discussion between Abraham 

Lincoln, Frederick Douglass, 

Harriet Tubman, and Martin 

Luther King, Jr.; music 

presentations of the Lincolnera; and a program entitled 

“Abraham Lincoln: A Biography 

in Words and Music.” You will 

also have an opportunity to 

view the park’s new 26 minute, 

high definition, surround sound, 

orientation film in the Visitor 

Center theatre. 

All of the above programs 

and activities are free, so 

please accept our invitation to 

celebrate Mr. Lincoln’s 200th 

birthday party with the staff 

and volunteers at Lincoln Home 

NHS. 

James A. Sanders 

Superintendent 

From the 

Superintendent

Typical gifts for boys in 1860: Books, 

carved wooden animals toys, gun powder 

firecrackers, hoops, and a stocking to hang 

above the fireplace.

Christmas in the time of Abraham 

Lincoln was a lot different than it 

is for us today. The idea of Santa 

Claus did not become popular 

until drawings of the jolly old elf 

appeared in Harper’s Weekly in the 

1870s and 1880s. 

The Christmas tree first appeared in 

print in Godey’s Lady Book, 1850. 

But even so, traditional trees were 

different in this time. Christmas trees 

were first brought to the United 

States by German immigrants, and 

were usually tabletop trees. Because 

most of the firs here in the United 

States were larger, the Christmas 

tree became the floor to ceiling 

versions seen today. We do not know 

if the Lincoln’s had a tree in their 

home, but the Springfield Episcopal 

Church and the First Presbyterian 

Church had Christmas trees in their 

buildings. The Lincolns probably 

visited these churches and saw the 

trees illuminated by many candles. 

In 1860, there were no lights on the 

houses, no reindeer on the roofs, 

and no elves in the front yards. What 

decorations they had were not put 

up until Christmas Eve night. Willie 

and Tad, Mr. Lincoln’s two youngest 

boys, used their mother’s stockings 

for gifts, since they were larger and 

held more toys, books, popcorn 

balls, and candy. The boy’s list may 

have also included firecrackers 

and horns, which were great for 

noisemaking and popular at the 

time. 

Every year the neighborhood is decorated.

Lincoln Home Sitting Room decorated for the 

Holidays. Meals during the holiday season consisted of 

foods like chicken, ham, mashed potatoes, 

oranges and cloves, roast beef, and pickles.
 Winter 2008/2009, Mr. Lincoln’s Neighborhood News 3

Museum 

Matters

Lincoln Home National Historic 

Site’s newest exhibit, Teaching with 

Museum Collections: Lincoln Home

is available on the internet at http://

www.nps.gov/history/museum/

exhibits/liho/. It is the goal of the 

National Park Service’s Museum 

Management Program to have webbased exhibits for all 391 parks. 

The Lincoln Home exhibit features 

photographs of over 200 artifacts 

from the collection, and a virtual 

tour of the Lincoln Home. The 

Curatorial staff began selecting 

themes and artifacts in 2005. 

These themes cover the Lincoln 

Home itself, Mary & the boys, 

Lawyer to President (his legal and 

political careers,) funeral, return 

to Springfield, and Memorabilia. 

In February 2006, a professional 

photographer took high-resolution 

pictures while the staff scanned an 

additional 50-60 prints, drawings, 

and papers that fit one or more 

Top to bottom: Lincoln Action Figure, 

Presidential China and Lincoln Home 

ornament, Lincoln Logs, Presidential China, 

and doll kit.

The Giving 

Season

If you’re looking for the perfect gift 

for any season, the Lincoln Home 

Museum Shop is a great place to 

look! The souvenirs found in our 

store range from unique items 

found only at our site, to classic 

favorites like the Lincoln Logs set. 

With a wide variety to choose from, 

of the themes. In the summer of 

2006, a workshop was held with 

twelve local teachers for the purpose 

of creating lesson plans using the 

images of the artifacts as the main 

source of information. The teachers 

worked in small groups to decide 

what grade level they wanted to write 

for and what the activities would be. 

The plans also had to meet National 

Curriculum standards. 

Following the workshop, the Curator, 

with help from the Curatorial staff, 

Historian, and Interpreters wrote up 

labels for the themes and individual 

artifacts, creating over 200 labels by 

the time it was all finished! Then the 

Museum Management office created 

a fun, interactive and easy to use web 

exhibit. 

The exhibit went online in 

September 2008.

Promotional Postcard.

the Museum Shop is a great way to 

share memories and give thoughtful 

gifts. It’s also a way to support your 

National Parks! Eastern National 

has donated over $89 million to the 

National Park Service since 1947, 

providing parks around the nation 

with a chance to fund educational 

programs, public events, and other 

such services for national park 

visitors.
4 Mr. Lincoln’s Neighborhood News, Winter 2008/2009

Editor

Ashleen Woods

Chief of Interpretation

Laura Gundrum

NPS Photographers

Susan Haake

John Popolis

Ashleen Woods

Comments? Contact:

Newsletter Editor

Lincoln Home National Historic Site

413 S. Eighth Street

Springfield, IL 62701-1905

E-mail: liho_information@nps.gov

Telephone: 217-492-4241 or 217-492-4150

TTY: 217-492-4244

For Bicentennial Information visit:

www.lincoln200.net

www.kylincoln.org

www.in.gov/lincoln

www.lincoln200.gov

Time keeps flying by, and 

now is the snow! The Lincoln 

neighborhood is gorgeous when 

covered in snow and decorated 

with balsam. Winter is a great 

time to stop by and see the 

home of our 16th president.

In addition to the natural beauty 

of the snow laden homes, this 

year is an exceptional time to 

plan a trip to the Lincoln Home. 

There will be many programs 

and events taking place in 

February for the Bicentennial and 

throughout the whole year!

As always, we’re open everyday 

of the year from 8:30-5:00, with 

the exception of Thanksgiving 

Day, December 25, and January 

1! We hope to see you and 

yours soon!

Editor’s Note 

National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior

Lincoln Home National Historic Site

413 South Eighth Street

Springfield, IL 62701-1905

First Class Mail

Postage & Fees

P A I D

National Park Service

G-83

The printing of this newsletter is 

made possible by donations from 

Eastern National.

The mission of the National Park 

Service at Lincoln Home National 

Historic Site is to conserve 

unimpaired, for the enjoyment, 

education and inspiration of 

present and future generations, 

the Lincoln Home and its 

associated cultural resources 

and values that were critical 

to the emergence of Abraham 

Lincoln as both a national leader 

and international symbol of 

democracy.

This mission is rooted in and 

evolves from the park’s legislative 

mandate found in the Act of 

Congress of August 18, 1971 

(85 Stat. 347) as amended.

Mission 

Statement

EXPERIENCE YOUR AMERICATM

Winter Newsletter
Lincoln Home

National Historic Site

National Park Service Lincoln Home Update U.S. Department of the Interior

Listing of Springfield 

Area Bicentennial 

Events

January 2009-2010

Living History Programs

Throughout the day, uniformed and 

costumed Ranger Talks and Living 

History Programs will be offered at 

a variety of locations within Lincoln 

Home National Historic Site, daily 

8:45am-4:40pm, free admission. 

February 4, 2009

WUIS Special Radio Programming

Lincoln the Poet, Lincoln the 

Lawmaker, and Lincoln and Humor at 

6:30pm. Details at wuis.org

February 6-8 and 13-15, 2009

Our American Cousin

Hit 19th Century comedy about a 

staid British family whose lives are 

turned upside down by the arrival of 

a boorish American relative. The play 

was performed at Ford’s Theater in 

April of 1865, with President Lincoln in 

the audience. This Springfield Theatre 

Centre production will recreate that 

pivotal union of theatre and history. 

Hoogland Center for the Arts, Feb. 

6-7 and Feb. 13-14 8:00pm, 8 and 15 

2:00pm. Tickets required. 

February 8, 2009 

The Lincoln Project

An exhibition of paintings by Chicago 

artist Don Pollack opens in the Illinois 

Gallery. Abraham Lincoln Presidential 

Museum, daily, 9:00am-5:00pm, free 

admission. 

Collecting Lincoln

Daniel Weinberg of Chicago’s Abraham 

Lincoln Bookshop moderates a panel 

of noted Lincoln collectors. Abraham 

Lincoln Presidential Library, 2:00pm, 

free admission, reservations requested.

Reflecting on Lincoln

Eric Foner, DeWitt Clinton Professor of 

History at Columbia University, reflects 

on a lifetime of Lincoln scholarship. 

Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum, 

7:00pm, free admission.

February 9, 2009 

The Last Lincoln Lecture

Richard Carwardine, a Rhodes Professor 

of Am. History at Oxford University, 

author of Lincoln: A Life of Purpose 

and Power presents an evening lecture 

program titled “The Last Lincoln.” 

Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum, 

7:00pm, free admission.

February 10, 2009 

The Lincolns: Portrait of a Marriage

David Mark Epstein, author of The 

Lincolns: Portrait of a Marriage, discusses his book in the Union Theatre. 

Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library 

and Museum, 7:00pm, free admission, 

reservations requested.

Anniversary of the Lincoln Reception

Program commemorating the 

Anniversary of the Lincoln Reception 

at the Vachel Lindsay Home. This was 

the lifelong residence of poet Vachel 

Lindsay, remembered locally for 

“Abraham Lincoln Walks at Midnight.” 

Built in 1846, Lindsay’s home was 

originally owned by Mr. and Mrs. Clark 

M. Smith, Mary Lincoln’s sister and 

brother-in-law. Vachel Lindsay Home, 

time TBA, free admission.

February 11, 2009 

Lincoln’s Farewell Address

On February 11, 1861, President-Elect 

Lincoln bade farewell to the citizens of 

Springfield as he left for Washington, 

D.C. Springfield students and the public 

welcome Mr. Lincoln to the Prairie 

Capitol Convention Center on a trip 

back in time to Mr. Lincoln’s departure. 

Prairie Capitol Convention Center, 

10:30am, free admission. 

Illinois Symphony Bicentennial 

Performance

The Illinois Symphony performance 

sponsored by the Illinois Abraham 

Lincoln Bicentennial Commission.

Prairie Capitol Convention Center, 

7:00pm, free admission.

February 12, 2009 

Lincoln Author Book Fair

Well known Lincoln authors will 

participate in book signings, panel 

discussions and programs. All events 

held throughout Springfield’s historic 

sites. Daniel Epstein, Karen Winnick, 

Michael Burlingame, David Contosta, 

Daniel Howe, Elizabeth Varon and 

others celebrate the Bicentennial. 

Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library, 

9:00am-5:00pm, free admission.

Statewide Birthday Bell Ringing

A statewide bell ringing at Noon. 

All are invited to join in the ringing. 

Throughout Illinois (locations vary), 

12:00pm, free. 

Naturalization Ceremony

New U. S. citizens will be sworn 

in during a special Bicentennial 

Naturalization Ceremony. Old State 

Capitol, 3:00pm, free admission.

George L. Painter Lincoln Lectures

The Painter Lectures are scheduled 

annually. Participants in Session I 

include Dan Guillory, Kent Gramm 

and Wayne Temple discussing the 

“The Literary Lincoln.” Session II 

includes Michael Burlingame, Catherine 

Clinton, Wayne Temple, Karen Kostyl, 

Camesha Scruggs discussing The 

Personal Lincoln. Lincoln Home 

National Historic Site Visitor Center, 

1:00pm-2:00pm, and 2:30-3:30pm, free 

admission.

Bicentennial Period Ball

A Bicentennial Period Ball with the 

10th Cavalry Regiment Band providing 

period music; ladies and gentlemen 

are invited to wear mid-1800’s attire, 

but not required to attend. Abraham 

Lincoln Presidential Museum Plaza, 

6:00pm-9:00pm, free admission, 

reservations requested.

Guest appearance by Lincoln.
February 12, 2009 

Abraham Lincoln Association Roundtable

Roundtable discussion, featuring 

Vernon Burton, Daniel Walker Howe, 

Michael Burlingame, Elizabeth Varnon, 

Russell McClintock, David Contosta. 

Old State Capitol, 9:00am-10:30am, free 

admission.

Gettysburg Address Reading

Statewide reading of the Gettysburg 

Address with Illinois grade school 

students participating in the 

simultaneously read speech. Location 

TBD, 9:30am, free admission. 

Book Signing and Children’s Story Telling 

with Abraham Lincoln

Author book signing followed by 

Abraham Lincoln talk with children 

about the importance of reading. 

Harriet Tubman, Jameson Jenkins, 

Sojourner Truth will each briefly talk to 

the children. Lincoln Home National 

Historic Site Visitor Center, 9:30am10:00am and 4:00pm-4:30pm; Story 

Telling 10:00am-11:00am and 4:30pm5:30pm, free admission. 

Abraham Lincoln’s 200th Birthday Party

A once in a lifetime celebration! 

Abraham Lincoln’s 200th Birthday Party 

celebrated in the evening, sponsored 

by the Abraham Lincoln Association 

and the Illinois Abraham Lincoln 

Bicentennial Commission. Grand 

Ballroom of the Crowne Plaza Hotel, 

6:00pm-12:00am, tickets required.

February 13, 2009 

Lincoln and Leadership Program

Lincoln and Leadership Program 

with Fritz Klein as Abraham Lincoln, 

sponsored by Lincoln Home National 

Historic Site. Hoogland Center for the 

Arts, 9:00am-11:30pm, free admission, 

advanced registration required at:

liho_superintendent@nps.gov.

Save the Date! 

October 15-18, 2009: Lincoln 

Colloquium

The Lincoln Colloquium is a special 

event held every year at different 

locations throughout the Midwest. From 

October 15-18, 2009, the Colloquium 

comes to Lincoln Home National 

Historic Site. 

This year the program focuses on the 

environment of the 1800s. The Nature of 

Lincoln: How the Environment Shaped 

Lincoln and how Lincoln’s Generation 

shaped the Environment promises to be 

an interesting discussion as Lincoln’s 

childhood on the rugged frontier 

is analyzed, as well as dealing with 

weather and man’s determination to 

master his surroundings. Take a closer 

look at how

Lincoln and his generation affected, and 

were effected by the world around them. 

The Colloquium is presented in 

partnership with the Lincoln Home 

National Historic Site, University of 

Illinois at Springfield, Illinois State 

Museum, and Eastern National, and 

many others. For more information, 

contact the Lincoln Home National 

Historic Site at 217-391-3241. 

Lincoln Home Visitor Center, 426 S. 7th Street.

Abraham, Frederick, Harriet, and 

Martin: Part I

A Discussion with Abraham Lincoln, 

Frederick Douglas, Harriet Tubman 

and Martin Luther King. Lincoln Home 

National Historic Site, 2:00pm-3:00pm, 

free admission.

February 14, 2009 

Abraham, Frederick, Harriet, and 

Martin: Part II

A Discussion with Abraham Lincoln, 

Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman 

and Martin Luther King Jr.. Location 

TBD, 11:00am, free admission.

Music of the Lincoln Era

Music of the Lincoln era performed by 

a wide variety of singers and musicians. 

Lincoln Home National Historic Site, 

Visitor Center, 1:00-3:00pm, free 

admission.

Abraham Lincoln: A Biography in Words 

and Music

“Abraham Lincoln: A Biography in 

Words and Music” features Lincoln and 

another historic characters talking about 

Lincoln’s life. Includes related period 

musical performances by a choral group. 

First Presbyterian Church 5:00pm, free 

admission.

February 15, 2009 

The Abolitionist Church and Lincoln’s 

Friend

Robert J. Davis will portray Jameson 

Jenkins, a friend and neighbor of 

Abraham Lincoln and conductor on 

the Underground Railroad. He found a 

spiritual home among the abolitionists 

at Second Presbyterian Church, which 

is now Westerminster Presbyterian 

Church. The Westminster Choir will 

perform hymns from “The Presbyterian 

Psalmodist” of 1852. Westminister 

Presbyterian Church, 4:00pm, free 

admission.