Springfield

We just enjoyed a little more than a day in Springfield, Illinois. We had never been there before and we had a voucher for a free night at a Raddison, so we decided to use it there.

Even though I think a return trip would probably be a good idea - when our children are school-age - it was definitely a worthwhile location to visit. We toured Lincoln's home, visited the Lincoln museum (only open since last year), toured the law office where he practiced, viewed the capitol building of Illinois (from the outside anyway), explored the old capitol building, and saw his grave site. Most of that is within several blocks of each other, so it is definitely a historical treasure chest.

The museum is definitely worth noting. I have never seen such a well-done, interesting historical museum. At the price of $7.50 for adults and with children under 5 being free, it is definitely family budget friendly as well. There are two main sections. One begins as the log cabin in Kentucky where Lincoln was born. You then enter room after room of each stage of his life. They have mannequins that look so real to life it is almost eery, but definitely eye catching. Their hair is real! The second section (which we viewed first b/c of a huge school group entering the cabin), is the White House. You almost feel as if you are actually visiting them during the presidency. They have numerous personal items of the Lincolns as well as various documents, etc. They also have two movies, one of which focuses on his eyes, mainly outlining his life overall. The other shares the purpose of the presidential library, where they collect items from history and preserve them. To call them movies is almost an insult, but unless I give away the true effect they have on a person, you must view them yourself.

Abraham Lincoln was truly a noble, hard-working, honest man. He faced hardships - he lost his mother and two of his sons before his death. He was born in a tiny log cabin where he taught himself to read. In Springfield he was a successful lawyer and politician, but he also lost several political races as well. As a president he was criticized, mocked, scorned. Just read the comics they have reprinted in the museum. Times haven't changed much in that department - the media continues to be downright disrespectful of our authority figures. He was accused of doing too much for the slaves and yet not enough by others. He stood firm, resolute, undeterred in his conviction that all men should be free. He didn't bow to popular opinion, but rather did what he felt was right. Whether or not he was a Christian, I do not know. Nevertheless he stands as an example to us as Christians. Are we willing to do what is right, no matter what others think? Are we swayed by our society's opinion of what is good, moral, politically correct? Are we willing to be a leader or do we let ourselves be lead?

I truly encourage you to put Springfield on your list of places to visit. You won't be disapppointed.

http://www.alplm.org