Lincoln Log Cabin State Historic Site, part of the Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area, preserves the 19th-century home of Thomas Lincoln and Sarah Bush Lincoln, father and step-mother of our 16th president. Abraham Lincoln was a lawyer living in Springfield by the time his parents moved here, but his burgeoning law practice often brought him to Charleston and the farm, especially during the 1840s. Abraham Lincoln also owned a portion of the farm which he deeded back to his father and step-mother for their use during their lifetime.

Today Lincoln Log Cabin is an 86-acre historic site that is owned and operated by the State of Illinois, managed by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Division of Historic Sites. The site includes an accurate reproduction of the Lincolns' two-room cabin that was reconstructed on the original cabin site in 1935-1936 as a Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) project. The National Park Service oversaw the creation of Lincoln Log Cabin State Park with CCC labor. The CCC camp, Camp Shiloh, was located within the park's boundaries and its enrollees were WWI veterans. Today the ten acres in the northwest corner of the park where Camp Shiloh was located is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

A working, living history farm has been developed around the cabin, and a second historic farmstead, that of Stephen and Nancy Sargent, has been moved to the site to help broaden visitors' understanding both of life in the 19th century and Lincoln's legal practice in the community. The site also includes the Moore Home, where Lincoln bid farewell to his family in 1861 before leaving to assume the Presidency, and the gravesites of Thomas and Sarah Lincoln at the Thomas Lincoln Cemetery.

Upcoming Events!

Young'uns in the Garden
Saturday, May 17, 9:00 am to noon
Join us in the historic gardens at Lincoln Log Cabin for this hands-on Kids to Parks Day event. This free program for "young'uns" ages 5-10 helps to build a connection with the natural world and helps children develop an understanding of where their food comes from. Participants will learn from our historic interpreters about how we prepare the gardens for the spring, learn a bit about how plants grow, and will assist with the spring planting in the site's vegetable gardens. All youth must be accompanied by an adult. This event is free but please click here to register

Vintage Base Ball
Saturday, May 24, Noon to 4:00 pm
Vintage base ball returns to Lincoln Log Cabin for the start of the season on Saturday, May 24th! Visitors are invited to step back in time and join in a game of 19th century ball. The rules to the early version are similar to the modern rules and will be explained before each game. Pack a blanket or lawn chair and a picnic lunch to eat while you watch the game. The Lincoln Log Cabin Foundation will have ice cold drinks, light snacks, and candy available for purchase. The event is free and open to the public. No RSVP required. All are welcome to play or just watch! Wherever and whenever Americans have gathered for community events, there was always a ball game. After the Civil War, the game of choice was most often town ball. Town ball later became base ball, and finally today’s version with modern rules (and spelled as one word, baseball).

 Made in Central Illnois! Annual Fundraiser
Saturday, May 31, 6:00 pm

Our annual fundraiser will be hosted at the site featuring locally-sourced food as well as a silent auction with items representing Central Illinois! Join us for heavy hors d'oeuvres from local providers, Illinois beer and wines, and live music with Motherlode.Walk around the site to try different foods and experience the site after hours! Individual tickets are $60 or reserve a table of 8 for $420. Register here.