Sites to See for the Illinois Civil War Sesquicentennial

From Springfield to Galena and beyond there are many sites to see during Civil War Sesquicentennial. For my family, the 150th anniversary may be our reason to revisit Illinois for our next vacation. There is plenty to do that will keep our whole family happy.

Springfield, IL
There can be little doubt as to the place that Springfield has on Civil War history. The state and this town were decidedly Union.

President Abraham Lincoln made his home here and it is also where he opened his law practice. Later, he married the woman who would become Mary Todd Lincoln and ascended to the Presidency from his home in Springfield.

During the Civil War Sesquicentennial just about all of the sites in the area will hold special events.

Camp Butler sits just east of Springfield. In the early years as a Civil War site it was a camp where Union Troops gathered to receive training. For a few years it was used a prison where Confederate soldiers were held but today Camp Butler is a National Cemetery.

Getting to this Civil War site in Illinois is not difficult for travelers who are coming in from Springfield. Take I-55 North to exit 100 (East Sangamon Ave) to Hwy. 54E. In about a mile you should see a sign for Camp Butler and Camp Butler Road. This takes you straight to the cemetery. Consult an online map if you are coming from another direction.

There is no admission fee. Office hours and address for the Civil War site of Camp Butler can be found on the City of Springfield website.

Petersburg
Another of the Civil War sites in Illinois is the Lincoln's New Salem State Historic Site at 15588 History Lane in Petersburg, IL. The site is made up of workshops, houses and a school/church building. Collections include early 19th Century artifacts.

Donations are welcome in lieu of an entrance fee. Visitors to the park of any age will enjoy touring the buildings and grounds. There is a picnic area, hiking trails and camping facilities. On any given Friday in the summer visitors can watch one of the plays or concerts in the outdoor amphitheater. Check with the park for prices.

Galena
The Ulysses S. Grant Home is another civil war site in Illinois that you won't want to miss. It's at 500 Bouthillier Street which is just off of the Ulysses S. Grant Memorial Highway (Hwy. 20).

The home is open from Wednesday '" Sunday and is closed during most major U.S. holidays. Original artifacts in the home date back to 1865. It's open from 9:00 '" 5:00 with the last tour beginning at 4:45.

These are only a few of the Civil War sites and battlefields in Illinois. Information on other places may be found on the State of Illinois Civil War 150th Anniversary website.