Local attractions and sites
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(As listed by the
Abraham Lincoln
Tourism Bureau of Logan County, January 2006)
Postville Courthouse -- A reproduction of the original 1840
courthouse visited by lawyer Abraham Lincoln while he traveled the
8th Judicial Circuit. Open Tuesday-Saturday: March-October, noon to
5 p.m.; November-February, noon-4 p.m. Closed most state holidays.
Reservations are suggested for groups of 25 or more. Suggested
donation of $2 for adults and $1 for children. For additional
information, call (217) 732-8930.
Mount Pulaski Courthouse -- One of the only two surviving 8th
Judicial Circuit courthouses in Illinois where Abraham Lincoln
practiced law. Open Tuesday-Saturday: March-October, noon to 5 p.m.;
November-February, noon-4 p.m. Closed New Year's, Martin Luther King
Jr. Day, Presidents Day, Veterans Day, general election days,
Thanksgiving and Christmas. Groups of 25 or more must have
reservations. Not wheelchair-accessible. For more
information, call (217) 732-8930.
Lincoln College Museum -- Houses valuable collections of
Lincolniana, Logan County history and American presidential
memorabilia. Hours: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday,
1-4 p.m. Open additional hours by appointment. Closed on federal
holidays. Open Feb. 12. Call (217) 732-3155, ext. 295, or visit
www.lincolncollege.edu
for more information.
Logan County Courthouse -- Located on the square in downtown
Lincoln, this courthouse was completed in 1905 and still houses
county offices and records dating to 1839. For operating times and
further information, call (217) 732-6400 or (217) 732-TOUR.
Logan County Genealogical and Historical Society -- The Logan
County Genealogical and Historical Society encourages the
preservation of Logan County's history and maintains a research
center that treasures and collects Logan County family histories.
The research center, at 114 N. Chicago, is the only one that
includes all of Logan County. Research resources include historical
books, maps, obituaries, cemetery records, marriages, births, family
surname genealogy and more. The public is invited to stop by for a
visit and enjoy looking at historical artifacts, including old
photographs and museum pieces, or browse through a book or two.
Visitors can even get help researching their own family history.
Open Tuesday-Friday 11 a.m.-4 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Mount Pulaski Township Historical Society Museum -- This
two-story museum features Mount Pulaski and Abraham Lincoln
memorabilia. It is located at 102-104 E. Cooke St. in Mount Pulaski
and is open Tuesday-Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. or by special
appointment. For more information, contact
museum@frontiernet.net.
Heritage In Flight Museum -- Located at the Logan County
Airport, the museum is open to provide an educational experience
with activities built around aviation. The Heritage In Flight
organization provides tours of the museum, flying events at the
airport, meetings and aircraft maintenance. Guided tours are
scheduled Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. A one-week notice is
required. The museum is also open Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
No set admission charge, but donations are appreciated. Call (217)
732-3333 for more information.
Old Gillett Farm -- A beautiful family farm located on 700 acres
of secluded lawns, woodlands, pastures and open fields. Tours of the
historic Gillett family home, barns and chapel can be arranged.
Abraham Lincoln sites on the property add additional interest. The
farm accepts private bookings at both the main house and the
three-bedroom guest house. The privately owned chapel is also
available for weddings. Special events and receptions can be held in
the gardens and courtyards. For reservations, contact Lisa Pasquesi
at (217) 947-2346 or find additional information at
www.oldgillettfarm.org.
Under the Prairie Frontier Archaeological Museum -- Features one
of the largest single collections of pre-Civil War archaeological
artifacts in the Midwest. On display are a wide range of authentic
frontier relics from the late 1700s and early 1800s. Also visit the
Bluestem Bake Shop, featuring traditional baked goods, soups and
sandwiches. Located at 109 Gov. Oglesby St. in the town of Elkhart.
Open Wednesday through Sunday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. For more information,
call (217) 947-2522 or visit
www.undertheprairie.com.
Atlanta Public Library and Museum -- Home to both a library
and a museum, the Atlanta Public Library and Museum offers a variety
of items telling the history of the area. The octagonal-shaped
building is listed as a national historic site. Items displayed
include war paraphernalia and farming tools. The library is closed
Sundays and Mondays. Located at Race and Arch streets, Atlanta, IL
61723. Call (217) 648-2112 for more information.
J.H. Hawes Grain Elevator -- Built in 1904, the J.H. Hawes
Grain Elevator is now the oldest wooden grain elevator in the state.
This structure is one of the few of its kind to be registered as a
historic site. Today it is home to a museum and is open from June to
August from 1 to 3 p.m. on Sundays or by appointment. Located in
downtown Atlanta.
Pig Hip Museum -- Pig Hip was once a restaurant, and in 2003
it reopened its doors as a collectibles museum. It features
porcelain collectibles of the historic Route 66 landmarks, newspaper
clippings and more about the building and the road. Open 9 a.m. to 5
p.m. Monday-Sunday and by appointment for group tours. Located at 101
W. Oak St., Broadwell, IL 62634. Contact (217) 732-2337 for more
information.
Lincoln's New Salem State Historic Site -- Located in
Petersburg, this is a preservation of the authentic site of the
frontier village of New Salem, home to Abraham Lincoln during the
1830s. Features historical workshops, tours, musical programs,
storytelling and museum displays. Open Wednesday through Sunday:
Nov. 1-Feb. 28, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.; March 1-Oct. 31, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Free,
with donations suggested of $2 for adults, $1 for children. For more
information, call (217) 632-4000.
Lincoln's Tomb -- The 117-foot-tall granite tomb contains the
bodies of Lincoln, wife Mary and three of his four sons. Features
famous Lincoln statuary. Open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. from March
through October and until 4 p.m. from November through February. Closed on major holidays. If you visit at 7 p.m. on Tuesdays from
June through August, you can see a flag-lowering ceremony enacted by
volunteers in Civil War uniforms. Groups of 25 or more should make
reservations. Call (217) 782-2717 for further information.
Lincoln's Home -- The Lincoln home, the centerpiece of the
Lincoln Home National Historic Site, has been restored to its 1860s
appearance, revealing Lincoln as husband, father, politician and
president-elect. No fee for the tour. Parking is available in the
visitor parking lot on a daily basis. The charge, payable at a
self-operated fee machine, is $2 per hour. For visitor information,
call (217) 492-4241, ext. 221.
Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum -- 212 N.
Sixth St., Springfield, IL 62701. Museum open Monday-Sunday, 9
a.m.-5 p.m., and Wednesday, 9 a.m.-8:30 p.m. Closed on Thanksgiving
Day, Christmas Day and New Year's Day. Library has no admission
charge. Museum admission fee is $7.50 for adults 16-61 years of age,
$5.50 for seniors 62 years of age and up, $3.50 for children 5-15
years of age, $5.50 for military personnel (ID required), $5.50 for
students (school or college ID required); and free for children
under 5. For more information, call (217) 558-8882 or visit
www.alplm.org or
www.visitspringfieldillinois.com.
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