As a volunteer at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum for the last nine years, which was the one new thing I took on when I retired and in honor of his birthday on February 12, I have excerpted some of my favorite Lincoln links for your convenience.

Visit the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum and Library in Springfield, Illinois. <www.alplm.org>.

Places Lincoln Knew

To give yourself a taste of what life was like while Mr. Lincoln was studying to become a lawyer, visit the New Salem State Historic site. <http://www.lincolnsnewsalem.com/>.

Visiting Lincoln’s Home, which was the only home he ever owned, is in Springfield and is part of the National Park Service. <http://www.nps.gov/liho/>. Free to go through it from 9:00-5:00 daily. (Last tour starts at 4:30).

The Depot – Lincoln made his last speech to his friends in Springfield, Illinois, as he departed for Washington, D.C. from this location. www.nps.gov/liho/. Pinkie Noll, wife of Jon Gray Noll, a local attorney, bought it in June 2012 renovated it and Jon moved his law office in April 2013.

The Vandalia State House, the fourth Illinois statehouse, served as the capitol from 1836 until 1839 and is the oldest surviving capitol building in the state. The first (1818-1820) was at Kaskaskia, the state’s first capital. The second (1820-1823), third (1824-1836), and fourth (1836-1839) were at Vandalia. The fifth (1839-1876) is in Springfield and is preserved as the Old State Capitol State Historic Site. The sixth is the current capitol (1876-present) in Springfield. 