Lincoln’s New Salem - Petersburg, Illinois

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Lincoln’s New Salem State Historic Site, is a reconstruction of the village where Abraham Lincoln spent his early adulthood. The six years Lincoln spent in New Salem formed a turning point in his career. Although he never owned a home here, Lincoln was engaged in a variety of activities while he was at New Salem. He clerked in a store, split rails, enlisted in the Black Hawk War, served as postmaster and deputy surveyor, failed in business, and was elected to the Illinois General Assembly in 1834 and 1836 after an unsuccessful try in 1832.

Twelve log houses, the Rutledge Tavern, ten workshops, stores, mills and a school where church services were held have been reproduced and furnished as they might have been in the 1830s. The furnishings, including many articles actually used by the New Salem people of Lincoln’s time and others dating back to the same time period, were assembled and donated to the state by the Old Salem Lincoln League. The collection includes such early-nineteenth-century articles as wheat cradles, candle molds, cord beds, flax hackles, wood cards, dough and cornmeal chests and early American pewter.

Some of the activities that are available for you to participate in at New Salem are:

Antique Farm Show
Plowing demonstrations will be held at New Salem using draft horses and antique farm equipment. Hours 9am - 4pm, weather permitting.

An 1830’s Militia Muster with signing up for militia service and drilling will be held. The sound of musket fire will be heard on the prairies and bluffs of New Salem. The public will be invited to march carrying weapons (brooms) where Lincoln and the men of Sangamon County marched off to war in 1832.

Bring your family out to enjoy a "day in the life" of the average New Salem family. Observe cooking on the hearth, washing and mending clothes, spinning, weaving, knitting, butter churning, dipping candles; making baskets, and more. Home health care and home schooling were also part of everyday life as was gardening, tending the animals, chopping wood, toting water and fetching the eggs. The Ann Rutledge Quilters and The New Salem Fiber Guild will also display quilts and textiles at the New Salem Visitors Center. Hours: 9am to 5pm.

Learn how New Salem’s most misunderstood resident, Jack Kelso, made his living hunting, fishing and trapping in Central Illinois during the 1830’s. Witness firsthand how early pioneers put food on the table and clothing on their backs. Demonstrations will include hunting with bow and arrow, fishing with nets, the trapping of various animals, and operation of an 1830’s smokehouse.

This is just a few of the things available for you to do. They would love to have you visit them!

Location: 15588 History Lane, Petersburg, Illinois

Phone: 217.632.4000

Hours of Operation March 1 - April 15: Open Wednesday - Sunday 9am - 5pm (Closed Mon & Tue)
April 16 - Labor Day: Days and hours of operation yet to be determined
Day after Labor Day - October 31: Open Wednesday - Sunday 9am - 5pm (Closed Mon & Tue)
November 1 - End of February: Open Wednesday - Sunday 8am - 4pm (Closed Mon & Tue)
Hours change periodically, you are encouraged to call ahead 217-632-4000

Location
2 miles south of Petersburg, IL, on Rt. 97 or 20 miles northwest of Springfield, IL, on Rt. 97.

Size
Approximately 700 acres.

Admission
No admission fee, just a suggested donation of $1.00 for children, $2.00 for adults.