Abraham Lincoln purchased the home in 1844 for $1,200 and lived there until he left for the White House in 1861.
The house originally featured only one story, with the second floor added by Lincoln in 1856 to accommodate his growing family.
Lincoln personally measured the wood for the home's fence; the current fence is a reconstruction based on his specifications.
Following the Lincoln family's departure, the home was rented to various tenants before being gifted to the State of Illinois in 1887.
The house was designated a National Historic Site in 1971, transitioning from state to federal management.
Robert Todd Lincoln, the only one of the four Lincoln sons to survive into adulthood, was born in the house in 1846.
The interior contains some original artifacts, such as the Lincoln family's parlor stove and several pieces of furniture.
The surrounding four-block area is the only part of Springfield that remains physically preserved as it appeared in the mid-1800s.
The Lincoln Home National Historic Site preserves the only house Abraham Lincoln ever owned, where he lived from 1844 to 1861. This four-acre site encompasses four blocks of the original 19th-century Springfield neighborhood, maintained to reflect the era. The Greek Revival structure features the original wood frame and has been restored to its 1860 appearance. Guided tours allow visitors to access the interior of the home to view period-accurate furnishings. The surrounding National Historic Site includes several neighboring homes of Lincoln's 19th-century contemporaries. The site is managed by the National Park Service and includes a visitor center with interpretive exhibits. Visitors can walk the original wooden sidewalks that lined the streets during Lincoln's residency. The neighborhood environment provides context for Lincoln's life as a lawyer and family man before his presidency.
The front porch of the Lincoln Home, providing a classic view of the Greek Revival facade.
Reserve your tour tickets as early as possible on the day of your visit, as they are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.
Allow time to walk the four-block historic neighborhood surrounding the home to view the other preserved 19th-century residences.
Check the National Park Service website for specific daily tour availability, as group sizes inside the home are strictly limited.
Do not attempt to enter the home without a scheduled tour guide, as unescorted access is restricted for preservation purposes.
The site is closed on Thanksgiving, December 25, and January 1.
Photography is permitted inside the home, but flash and tripods are strictly prohibited; remain on marked paths and refrain from touching artifacts.
