Lincoln Home National Historic Site

Abraham Lincoln's only owned home is a frame house at 8th and Jackson Streets in Springfield, Illinois. Built in 1839 as a one-story cottage with two attic rooms, it was bought by Lincoln from the Rev. Charles Dresser in January 1844. The family lived there until 1861, apart from the years Lincoln served in Congress. Three more sons were born in the house, and the structure was enlarged to two full stories with twelve rooms. Built of native woods including oak, hickory and black walnut, it was the setting where Lincoln received the Republican nominating committee on May 17, 1860, and held a farewell levee on February 6, 1861. Later occupants included a railroad president and a Lincoln collector. In 1887 Robert Todd Lincoln gave the house to the State of Illinois, which has run it as a museum furnished with some original Lincoln pieces and reproduced interiors. It was recorded in excellent condition in 1959.