The Lincolns in Springfield

Nicholas H. Shepherd made the original daguerreotype for this image in Springfield, Illinois, shortly after Lincoln's election to Congress in 1846. It is believed by many to be the earliest known image of Lincoln, who was 37 or 38 years old. At this time, Lincoln was a husband and father of two small boys and operated a successful law practice in Springfield.

Mary and Abraham Lincoln often hosted dinners and parties at their Springfield, Illinois, home. This simple and light 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.

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.

This clock is part of a group of furniture used by the Lincoln family in Springfield, Illinois. The clock was made no later than 1830 - the Lincolns likely purchased it second-hand, presumably after their 1842 marriage. When Abraham Lincoln was elected President in 1860, this clock and other furnishings were sold to a neighbor, whose family retained them until 1930, when they came to the Museum.

The table is part of a group of furniture owned by the Lincoln family in Springfield, Illinois. When Abraham Lincoln was elected President in 1860, this table and other furnishings were sold to a neighbor, whose family retained them until 1930, when they were purchased for the Museum. The Lincolns likely used this as an occasional table when entertaining.

This rocking chair is part of a group of furniture owned by the Lincoln Family in Springfield, Illinois. When Abraham Lincoln was elected President in 1860, this chair and other furnishings were sold to a neighbor, whose family retained them until 1930, when they were purchased for the Museum. This was a standard type of middle class rocker that became associated with President Lincoln.

This rocking chair is part of a group of furniture owned by the Lincoln Family in Springfield, Illinois. When Abraham Lincoln was elected President in 1860, this chair and other furnishings were sold to a neighbor, whose family retained them until 1930, when they were purchased for the Museum. This was a standard type of middle class rocker that became associated with President Lincoln.

Mary Todd Lincoln selected this simple washstand for use in her Springfield, Illinois home. The Museum owns a matching wardrobe. Both pieces are good examples of the taste of the Lincolns in their early married life. Both are decorated with pointed arches in each door panels, identifying them as basic versions of the Gothic Revival style, popular in the early 19th century

Mary Todd Lincoln selected this simple wardrobe for use in her Springfield, Illinois home. The Museum owns a matching washstand. Both pieces are good examples of the taste of the Lincolns in their early married life. Both are decorated with pointed arches in each door panels, identifying them as basic versions of the Gothic Revival style, popular in the early 19th century

The table is part of a group of furniture owned by the Lincoln Family in Springfield, Illinois. When Abraham Lincoln was elected President in 1860, this table and other furnishings were sold to a neighbor, whose family retained them until 1930, when they were purchased for the Museum. The Lincolns likely used the table for dining and/or card games.

Abraham and Mary Lincoln had a Temple brand heating stove of this design in the front parlor of their Springfield, Illinois home. It appears in an illustration published in March of 1861. The Gothic Revival style stove in the form of a cottage or small house would have been fashionable in a middle class house of the 1850s, when the Lincolns were furnishing their home.

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.

In the spring of 1860, Abraham Lincoln sat for sculptor Leonard Volk. Volk made a plaster cast of the future president's features in preparation for a portrait bust. Volk used the piece for later works, including a full-length statue. Following Lincoln's assassination, other artists consulted this unique three-dimensional document for drawings, paintings and other sculptures.

One of the most memorable and emotional of Abraham Lincoln's speeches was his extemporaneous farewell to the citizens of Springfield, Illinois, on his departure to Washington. The speech was made on the train platform during a driving rainstorm. Three variations exist, one quickly penned by the President-elect as the train pulled out of the station; this version, published in Harper's Weekly on February 23, 1861, and printed as a memorial broadside in 1865; and a longer version published in the Illinois State Journal on February 12, 1861.