Tour the Lincoln Home

Lincoln Home front parlor

NPS

The Lincoln Home is the original home that Abraham Lincoln lived in during the 17th years preceding his presidency. He lived here with his wife, Mary Todd Lincoln, and their sons: Robert, Willie, Eddie, and Tad. In this house he raised a family, grew his law career, and developed into the person and leader we know him as today. His 17 years in this home, and his 24 years in Springfield, Illinois had a profound effect on his political views and beliefs, as well as helping him find a family, community, and place to call home.

As you tour the Lincoln Home, you will step into the life of Abraham Lincoln and get a glimpse of the man behind the president--a leader, a lawyer, and a politician, but also a father, a husband, and a figure who still inspires many of us today.

Details

Duration

25-45 Minutes

Tours of the Lincoln Home are on average thirty minutes, although they may run longer if guests have more questions.

Activity

Guided Tours

Access to the inside of the Lincoln Home is restricted to a guided tour only. The public cannot access the inside of the Lincoln Home unless they are on a guided tour.

Pets Allowed

No

Only service animals are permitted in the Lincoln Home. 

Activity Fee

No

Tickets are required to tour the Lincoln Home, but tickets are free of charge. Tickets can be obtained at the Visitor Center front desk. Tickets can only be obtained in-person on the day in which one wishes to take the tour.

Location

426 South 7th Street, Springfield, IL

The Lincoln Home is located at the intersection of 8th & Jackson streets. However, to get on the tour you must get your tickets at the Visitor Center, located at 426 South 7th Street in Springfield, Illinois. The Visitor Center is only a block west of the Lincoln Home. Vehicular access to the Lincoln Home is limited to NPS and emergency vehicles only, but visitors can park in the Lincoln Home parking lot, located next to the Visitor Center, on 7th street and walk to the Visitor Center and/or the Lincoln Home.

Reservations

No

Reservations are not required to tour the Lincoln Home, but visitors must obtain a free tour ticket from the Visitor Center in order to take a tour of the Lincoln Home. On a tour is the only way for a visitor to access the inside of the Lincoln Home. Tickets cannot be reserved days in advance, online, or over the phone. They can only be obtained on the same day one wishes to take the tour, and they can only be obtained in-person at the Visitor Center front desk.

Groups of 15 or larger are required to make a reservation through the Springfield Center Visitor's Bureau. 

Season

Year Round

The Lincoln Home is open for tours year-round. Our busiest season is the summer, in which tour tickets may run out before the end of the day. We recommend arriving earlier in the day to get your ticket, especially if visiting in the summer or on weekends.

Time of Day

Day

Tours of the Lincoln Home run from 9am - 5pm, sometimes with extended hours in the summer. Generally, the first tour of the day is at 9am and the last tour of the day is at 4:30pm.

Accessibility Information

Power scooters and other motorized devices are not permitted inside the Lincoln Home due to their size and weight. However, wheelchairs, walkers, and canes are welcome as long as they are can fit through the doorframes. The Lincoln Home does contain stairs, including 9 steps to the front door, 14 to the second floor, and 14 back down to the first floor. These stairs are quite steep. The steps to the first floor can be bypassed by access using a wheelchair lift. If you wish to use the lift, please notify a staffperson when obtaining your ticket for the tour.

Sign Language interpreters can be provided if requested at least 2 weeks in advance of one's tour. Tour scripts, listening devices, and a tacile tile with materials of the Lincoln Home are also available for checkout. These can be requested at the Visitor Center front desk.

Service animals are welcome inside the Lincoln Home.