Side Chair, Used in Abraham Lincoln's Springfield, Illinois Home, 1845-1860

THF154228 / Side Chair, Used in Abraham Lincoln's Springfield, Illinois Home, 1845-1860

Artifact Overview

Mary and Abraham Lincoln often hosted dinners and parties at their Springfield, Illinois, home. This light and stylish chair, one of a set of six, would have provided convenient seating for guests. When the Lincolns left for the White House in 1861, Harry Wilton, an acquaintance of the Lincolns, bought the set of chairs. The set was later purchased by Henry Ford from Wilton's descendants.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Side chair

Date Made

1845-1860

Place of Creation

United States

Location

at Henry Ford Museum in Fully Furnished

Object ID

30.878.7

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Material

Horsehair
Mahogany (Wood)
Wood (Plant material)

Technique

Carving (Processes)
Upholstering

Color

Brown
Black (Color)

Dimensions

Height: 32.25 in
Width: 17.25 in
Length: 17 in

Keywords	United States, Illinois, Springfield Side Chairs Chairs (Furniture forms) Furniture United States presidents Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865 Lincoln, Mary Todd, 1818-1882 Wilton, Harry, b. 1794 Lincoln Home National Historic Site (Springfield, Ill.) Empire (Style)

Related Content

Lithograph, "Mr. Lincoln, Residence and Horse as They Appeared on His Return from the Campaign with Senator Douglas," 1858

Set

The Lincolns in Springfield

14 Artifacts

Abraham and Mary Lincoln purchased a small home in Springfield, Illinois in 1844, shortly after their marriage. In 1856, with a growing family and income, they enlarged the house, seen here. After the 1860 election, they sold most of their furnishings and rented the house. This print, published in 1865 is likely a memorial - it shows a bearded Lincoln, though he did not have one in 1858.

Lithograph, "Mr. Lincoln, Residence and Horse As They Appeared On His Return from the Campaign with Senator Douglas"

article

At Home with the Lincolns

The Henry Ford owns a number of furnishings from Abraham and Mary Lincoln’s home in Springfield, Illinois, where they lived before Lincoln was elected president. Learn what these choices say about the Lincolns on our blog.