Lincoln New Salem State Historical Park: A Walk Down History Lane with Abraham Lincoln

Lincoln New Salem State Park is a wonderful place to take your children for a great day of fun and historical lessons. Even if you do not have children, adults are sure to enjoy a day here as well. New Salem State Park is located in Illinois, a couple miles south of Petersburg or approximately 20 miles from Springfield, the state capitol. New Salem was an actual village back in 1828. John Camron and James Rutledge founded it. John Camron actually purchased the property where the village grew. Upon it, he built a gristmill on the Sangamon River and Rutledge built the first homestead that was later converted to a tavern once the village started to grow. By 1840, New Salem was abandoned due to Petersburg taking on the county seat and the Sangamon River being too shallow for steamboat travel. The Civilian Conservation Corps reconstructed the village on the exact site of original New Salem village during the Great Depression. The Civilian Conservation Corps was a work relief program for unemployed men developed by Franklin D Roosevelt back in 1933.

Now, what was once a village is now a historic park! Although there is so much history in this little village, one of its biggest attractions is that when Abraham Lincoln was in his early 20's he lived in New Salem for 6 years. Lincoln never owned a home there, oddly enough, but did own his own general store. He stayed in either establishments he was employed at or owned, or the local Rutledge Tavern. A tavern back in those days was not necessarily where one would go to drink alcohol, (this one in particular did not serve any alcohol) but a place to get a bed for the night and a meal. Lincoln worked as a postmaster, shopkeeper, and general store owner, land surveyor, rail-splitter and did odd jobs around the village during the 6 years he lived in New Salem Village. During his stay in New Salem Village, he also was elected to the Illinois General Assembly in 1834 and 1836.

There is only one original building in Lincoln New Salem historical site; the Onstot Cooper Shop, but the rest were reconstructed from pictures and placed in as close to original locations as possible. Lincoln New Salem Park houses twelve log houses, the Rutledge Tavern, ten workshops, stores, mills and a school. Everything is furnished to reproduce the look and feel of the 1830s'. Through out the park you will find historians dressed in the era, many demonstrating the crafts of their time, while others tell you stories of the era. All play their roles quite impressively. It was fun listening to them tell tales of Abraham Lincoln and the different quirks of life during the 1800's.

I asked a couple locals that have frequented Lincoln New Salem Park several times some of their thoughts and feelings in regards to it. Here are their responses.

Interview with K. Samples, Springfield, IL.

1. What is some of your favorite things about this historical site?

New Salem is one of the few places that a low or middle income can afford. They do not have a set fee to get into the village; it is by donation only. The village is well maintained and each of the buildings has plaques that give basic information if no one is giving a presentation at the time. The live presentations are my favorite. The covered walkway to the Sangamon River is nice and if you are lucky, the keelboat will be there. You can get on it and the people will tell you about river travel during that time. There are also several walking trails, although they are not long, they are nice. They have a very nice picnic area with attached playground that you can enjoy a picnic. You can also leave the village and return whenever you like. There is a McDonalds there, which is reasonably priced as well if you are not up to a picnic. They have a campground in the same area as the picnic area, so if you would like you can stay there and visit for a few days. There are several small towns surrounding New Salem State Park that have a lot of historical value as well. Springfield is approximately 30 minutes from the park that also has several Lincoln sites that cost little to nothing to visit.

2. What, if any, were things that you found to be unfavorable?

I really do not have anything bad to say about New Salem. All of my trips there have been great, even the class trips.

3. How would you rate this as a family/individual outing event?

For a day trip, I do not know of anything that is more enjoyable or more affordable for a family than this. If you are a nature lover and/or a history buff then this is one of the best places I can think of in the area.

Interview with T. Rolando, Springfield, IL.

1. What is some of your favorite things about this historical site?

I have been there several times and I enjoy it all over again every time I go. There is something cool about knowing that you are walking the same roads that Lincoln actually walked. When the park is in full swing in the summer you can see the crafts being worked on and people exhibiting life skills just like they did in Lincoln's time. You can enjoy how much simpler life used to be back then, although I am sure if the tables were reversed, they would wonder what was wrong with my head. Since it is a ways from the highway, you do not hear the traffic and that adds to the authenticity of the experience. It always reminds me of Little House on the Prairie. There used to be a hotel and restaurant there. I stayed overnight with the girl scouts when I was in 8^th grade. All the 8^th graders snuck out to the pool after lights out and flirted with the lifeguard. I still remember his name. He was a hunk. I think about him every time I go there too. Ahh, nothing like teenage hormones!

2. What, if any, were things that you found to be unfavorable?

The only thing I ever found unfavorable was the littering by the sightseers.

3. How would you rate this as a family/individual outing event?

I do not think it is necessarily a suitable outing for infants and toddlers but schoolchildren on up are sure to enjoy the experience especially if they have some background information before they go. Since I am from Springfield, I grew up hearing about Lincoln. I have toured his home and tomb also. I have seen the train station where he made his farewell speech and the law office he worked in.

I have attached some pictures to this article of just a few of the sites at Lincoln New Salem Historical Park. Also, feel free to visit their website http://www.lincolnsnewsalem.com

The pictures attached are:

1. The schoolhouse that also functioned as a church on Sundays.

2. The Hill-McNeil Store:

3. Carding Mill and Wool House

4. Rutledge Tavern

5. Saw and Grist Mill

I highly recommend you gather up your children, spouse, significant other, aunt, uncle, brother or sister, picnic basket, hiking boots, bottled water, even tent if you choose and go enjoy this wonderful historical site.