Springfield Tour

[RJNorton]

(10-05-2015 03:49 PM)LincolnMan Wrote:  Really enjoyed the pictures and report. Again, I will keep my fingers crossed to be able to go next year.

And those photos from Greenfield Village that you have on your site are neat, too, Bill.

[Gene C]

Now I know why Abraham Lincoln's ghost walks at midnight. To many corn dogs and onion rings from his late night trips to the Cozy Dog Drive Inn. And while I wasn't walking at midnight, I did have a strange dream of Wild Bill teaching me how to read The Lincoln Myth.

[Anita]

Thanks for the photos Joe. And Gene, thanks for planning a great weekend of visits to Lincoln sites. Not sure about the corn dogs! I will try my best to be there next year.

Question: Other than the Lincoln home are there any markers mentioning Mary . i.e. where she shopped, or attended sewing circles?

[Gene C]

Anita...here you go

C, M. & S. Smith Store http://www.hmdb.org/marker.asp?marker=48620

Corneau and Diller Drug Store http://www.hmdb.org/marker.asp?marker=48560

Curran's Jewelry http://www.hmdb.org/marker.asp?

Mary Lincoln's Family http://www.hmdb.org/marker.asp?marker=48550

The Lincoln Boys in 1854
http://www.hmdb.org/marker.asp?marker=48575

Mary Lincoln's Circle of Friends http://www.hmdb.org/marker.asp?marker=48367

[STS Lincolnite]

I had a good time touring around the Springfield area with Gene, Joe and the others. It was great to meet them and talk Lincoln with them. I sure hope to make it again next year and I hope even more people can make it!

[Eva Elisabeth]

(10-05-2015 04:02 PM)RJNorton Wrote:  

(10-05-2015 03:49 PM)LincolnMan Wrote:  Really enjoyed the pictures and report. Again, I will keep my fingers crossed to be able to go next year.

And those photos from Greenfield Village that you have on your site are neat, too, Bill.

Yes - especially "B. Nash at the Logan County Courthouse" looks great! : )

[Anita]

Gene, thanks for those informative marker site links. I am looking forward to next year.

I am recommending a new marker for the Cozy Dog Drive Inn.
"LINCOLN FORUM MEMBERS DINE HERE"

[Gene C]

Here are my photos. I tried not to duplicate those from previous visits

A few brief notes.........

https://www.flickr.com/photos/105898294@...7241969323

We started our visit with a trip to Lincoln, IL to visit the Lincoln Heritage Museum. They requested we not take photo's of the exhibits. While they may have fewer Lincoln artifacts than the Lincoln Museum in Springfield, they did a very nice job of presenting Lincoln's life story in a unique and interesting way. Well worth the effort to visit this museum.

A visit to the rebuilt Potsville Courthouse (closed) and then lunch at the Blue Dog Café (Fido would have been pleased) Our next stop, The State Bank of Lincoln, a pleasant and unexpected surprise. They have a statue of Lincoln in the middle of the bank. We asked the bank manager, Karen Coatts for permission to take pictures. She was very kind. I was surprised to see 6 original Lloyd Ostendorf paintings and life masks of Lincoln by Leonard Volk made from, I believe, the original molds. Then a few stops around the town, all within a few blocks.

Our next stop was the Mt. Pulaski Courthouse, one of the two still standing original courthouses where Lincoln practiced law. Our guide, a nice senior citizen, was excited with our group of four and three other visitors, as it was the largest tour group she had ever had. It was humbling to stand in the very spot where Lincoln had tried legal cases. In honor of the occasion, our guide gave Joe and me (Scott had to leave early to attend the Lincoln Colloquium) a nice print and a small cardboard replica of the 175th anniversary of the courthouse. (Last three pictures)

Then back to Springfield. The next morning a tour of the Lincoln Museum and a visit to Prairie Archives Book Store. After lunch, a tour of the Lincoln Home and a walk down the street where he lived. A short rest and then the much anticipated dinner with Scott (STS Lincolnite) at the Cozy Dog Drive In. A memorable experience. Then off to New Salem for the candle light tour. They only offer this once a year for three days. It was very crowded, with lines of people waiting to see each building. Due to the crowds and candle light it was almost impossible to get any good photo's. Afterword, some time to visit and relax. We said our goodbye's and the next morning we headed home. Good memories made with new friends, I look forward to doing this again.

I met with some disappointment as I presented my home coming gift. (last photo) Fortunately we had a few pumpkin apple muffins leftover. They were cheerfully accepted and enjoyed, so all is well.

[Jim Page]

Gene, I very much enjoyed your report and the photos. Thanks so much for sharing such a fascinating experience with us!!!

--Jim

[RJNorton]

Gene, I second Jim. Really enjoyed these photos. One was particularly nostalgic: Mr. Lincoln's Souvenirs Gift Shop. Each year when we took the 8th graders to Springfield I would clean out its supply of Jim Bishop's The Day Lincoln Was Shot (paperback version). I used that book in class as it gave the students a good overview of the assassination. Thanks again for posting these photos, Gene!

[L Verge]

I want that painting of Mr. Lincoln christening the town with watermelon juice so badly...! Thanks for the great photo-tour.

[Eva Elisabeth]

(10-08-2015 04:07 AM)RJNorton Wrote:  Gene, I second Jim. Really enjoyed these photos. One was particularly nostalgic: Mr. Lincoln's Souvenirs Gift Shop. Each year when we took the 8th graders to Springfield I would clean out its supply of Jim Bishop's The Day Lincoln Was Shot (paperback version). I used that book in class as it gave the students a good overview of the assassination. Thanks again for posting these photos, Gene!

Wow, and behind the gift shop is a mini replica of Westminster Abbey:
   
...I guess it wasn't there in Lincoln's days, was it? Is it a church?

I "quater" Jim, Roger, and Laurie, Gene - and would have enjoyed re-encountering past years motives likewise!
Gene, the Mt. Pulaski Courthouse would probably have met with great delight if filled with cozy hot dogs!

I, too, want the painting of Mr. Lincoln christening the town with watermelon juice badly...love it!

[RJNorton]

(10-09-2015 07:16 AM)Eva Elisabeth Wrote:  ...I guess it wasn't there in Lincoln's days, was it? Is it a church?

Not sure - is it the First Presbyterian Church?

[Thomas Kearney]

Thanks for sharing the pictures, Gene! Hopefully I will get to join you next year, as I plan to apply at U of I Springfield.

[Gene C]

That will be nice. Let use know how your plans go for school, even if you end up somewhere else.