On our way to Minnesota this spring, we stopped in Chatham, Illinois for two nights. While we were here, we discovered there was so much good information in this area, we thought it warranted another, longer, stay on our way back south. We really wanted to see the President Lincoln Museum, library and tomb and for the most part, they did not disappoint and were completely worth the stop. On top of all the Lincoln history, we also discovered we are actually on part of the original route 66. Bonus as this offers a whole separate opportunity to explore the area.

President Lincoln Museum / Library

We spent $10.00 each and about 2 1/2 hours exploring the President Lincoln Museum and library. They are two separate buildings, just across the street from each other. Walking through the exhibits, you really get a sense of the timeline from being a small child to President of the US. I think one of the most interesting tidbits for me was the number of races he actually lost prior to becoming President. That and the fact that the press treated him as badly back then, as our press seems to treat our current politicians today. No matter how far we move forward in the future, there are some things we just keep repeating. Isn’t there something about insanity associated with that……….? The exhibits themselves are fairly dark and photos are not allowed, so I don’t have pictures of the museum, but you can check it out at this link Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum (illinois.gov)

The presidential library doesn’t have the same restrictions on photography as the museum, and I was probably more surprised to see it was just like a normal, city library rather than some grand, highly secured, airtight room. There are a few different statues of President Lincoln, by various artists, that are spread around the lobby, but otherwise, pretty normal looking.

President Lincoln’s Tomb

Call me morose, but I actually found President Lincoln’s tomb quite beautiful and peaceful. (Although, learning he had been moved 17 times before his final burial, was a little shocking). You are allowed to walk through the tomb itself and to see his actual final resting place and take photos. You may have heard that rubbing the nose outside his tomb is supposed to bring you good luck, but I was surprised at how many of the different statues of him inside the tomb have shiny spots from their share of rubbing as well. And yes, both Dave and I gave his nose a little pat before we entered.

The vault entrance at the back of the tomb was filled with pennies on the gate. Leaving these are supposed to bring you good luck as well. As I was researching this area, I came across a person that had written – “Not sure why everyone leaves all the pennies. For a guy that lost 3 of his 4 children to death, was assassinated and whose wife went a little nuts at the end of her life, he doesn’t seem that lucky!”

Route 66

This is the world’s largest Route 66 sign. So, we get to check another, world’s largest off our list. Remember North Dakota?

We actually decided to grab lunch at a local restaurant called Motor Heads that is on route 66 and dedicated to car racing. Who would guess that Dave and I would go to a place that housed cars? Yes, I know, everyone. Anyways, I digress.

The majority of this place is the restaurant and bar, but they have a small museum in the back to walk through and see all the racing memorabilia the owner has collected over the years. It’s actually quite interesting and the cost is nothing unless you want to eat. Speaking of eating, have you heard of the Horeshoe sandwich?

Springfield is famous for them, and you can find these offered in several restaurants around town. If you order the pony horseshoe, it’s about half the size of the regular size. (Nope – did not eat this as it looked really good but also like a heart attack waiting to happen). This actually reminds me a little of a poutine type sandwich, just with cheese instead of gravy on the top.

We are very glad we made this trip and longer stop in Illinois. The history of Abraham Lincoln is fascinating and while they didn’t focus on the civil war itself – a whole different set of places to visit – you get a sense of who President Lincoln was and all that led to that historical time period and why he is such a well-known part of our US history.

On a side note, I have whined enough this year about not getting any new state stickers on our map, that Dave has scheduled us for an overnight in Indiana before we head to Alabama. We’re still on the hunt for a campground host job and once we find one, we’ll be headed that way, wherever it may take us.

See ya on the road,

Dave and Theresa