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The Presidential Library contains an overwhelming treasury of carefully preserved Lincoln documents and artifacts, including more than 12 million items from the Illinois State Historical Library.

Whether learning more about the life and times of President Lincoln or following your own family's genealogical ties to Illinois, the Presidential Library is an amazing resource of information for families, historians and scholars.

This state-of-the-art facility was carefully designed with exacting historical detail. Amazingly well-preserved artifacts tell the entire life story of our nation's 16th President. Dedicated to the life and legacy of Abraham Lincoln, the Presidential Museum, unlike any other in the U.S., features high-tech exhibits, interactive displays, and multimedia programs, as well as a reproduction of the White House as it looked in 1861.

The holographic and special effects theaters will entertain, educate and mesmerize you with ghostly images, live actors and high action. Witness the 1860 Presidential Election as though it were happening today, complete with television news coverage and campaign commercials. Items from the institution's world-class Lincoln Collection, numbering in the tens of thousands, are exhibited on a rotating basis in the Museum's Treasures Gallery, including an original hand-written copy of the Gettysburg Address, the evening gloves in President Lincoln's pocket the night he was assassinated, and the quill pen used to sign the Emancipation Proclamation.

Located in the heart of central Illinois, this small town was often a stop for Abraham Lincoln while he traveled the court circuit before becoming the 16th President of the United States. The Atlanta Public Museum tells the stories of Lincoln's connection to Atlanta, the founding families he had close ties with, and the celebratory picnic honoring the Emancipation Proclamation. Join other travelers from around the world that make the Atlanta Public Museum and Welcome Center a stop on their cross-country traveling adventures along the Historic US Route 66. Other highlights to see while in town include the famous Paul Bunyon statue, Hawes Elevator, the old Mine and the Giant's Museum.

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the restored, fully-furnished mansion and spacious grounds whisk visitors back to the Victorian era.  The historic house was once home to Clinton attorney, Clifton H. Moore.  Visitors will enjoy tours of the mansion and carriage barn, view special exhibits and displays, including stories of the law partnership, political ties, and friendship shared by C.H. Moore and Abraham Lincoln during Lincoln's time in DeWitt County.  The DeWitt County Museum is also the home of the annual Apple 'n Pork Festival.

Stop by and get your passport stamped during normal business hours - Monday thru Friday, 8 am - 5 pm. You may wish to call beforehand to insure the building is open for visitors.

Charleston, located in Coles County, Illinois, is home to Eastern Illinois University, a public university with a strong reputation for its teaching programs. Our city is also known for its historic downtown district, and rich Lincoln history. Surrounded by beautiful natural landscapes, including Lake Charleston, which provides opportunities for boating, fishing, and other outdoor activities, Charleston offers an abundance of outdoor recreation opportunities. Overall, Charleston is a charming and welcoming city that offers a range of cultural and recreational opportunities. Charleston gives you the best of rural living in a friendly community.

Get your Passport to Your National Parks book stamped at the Christian County Courthouse in downtown Taylorville.  f

The statue on the grounds commemorates the story of a court case held at the old courthouse in Taylorville. The pigs under the courthouse trying to stay cool were making so much noise Lincoln could not make his arguments to the jury. Humorously, Lincoln requested  a "writ of quietus" from Judge David Davis. Today, this incident is marked by a statue of Abraham Lincoln and a pig.

A recent restoration of the Christian County Courthouse in the town square included exposing a beautiful glass dome that had been hidden by a false ceiling for many years.

The old courthouse that was the site of many Lincoln trials has been preserved at the Christian County Historical Museum complex on the east edge of town. Totally restored using original construction specifications, this 1839 building includes interior furnishings echoing courtrooms of the period. The Museum complex includes other early buildings, as well as a local history museum.

Begin your visit to Danville at the Danville Area Convention and Visitors Bureau.  Hours: Monday-Friday 9 AM-4PM.  Closed 12-1 PM for lunch

A visit to Judge David Davis' estate offers a glimpse into the lives of the wealthy and powerful of his day. Davis, friend and mentor to Abraham Lincoln, served as a United States Supreme Court Justice and was a key contributor during Lincoln's bid for the 1860 Presidential nomination. The Davis Mansion, completed in 1872, combines Italianate and Second Empire architectural features and is a model of mid-Victorian style and taste. His Bloomington home, which remained in the Davis family for three succeeding generations, provided a focal point for the social, cultural and political life of the community. The mansion contains elegant furnishings and the most modern conveniences of the era. Call or visit the website for more information.

Hours: Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. - 8 p.m.; Friday 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Galesburg, founded in 1837 by Reverend George Washington Gale and a group of anti-slavery advocates, was founded simultaneously with Knox College, a small, private, liberal arts college still located in the heart of the city. In the same year, the first anti-slavery society in Illinois was founded in Galesburg and was also a stop on the Underground Railroad. 

During those contentious years of the American Civil War, Galesburg was proudly the home of Mary Ann “Mother” Bickerdyke, who humbly cared for Union soldiers and whose statue you can visit just outside the Knox County Courthouse. The fifth Lincoln-Douglas debate between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas was hosted at Knox College’s Old Main on October 7, 1858, and Galesburg continues its dedication to preserving its history today.

A visit to Galesburg means almost immediate access to its friendly neighbors all around. Plan your next Galesburg vacation with these other Knox County towns in mind. You won’t want to miss out on the rich history and amazing locals!

The Galesburg CVB is a Passport Stamp location. Learn more about Passport Stamps here.