About the Museum

Abraham Lincoln is perhaps one of the most universally renowned and admired individuals in all of world history. His name is familiar in all corners of the globe. Visitors from all over the world come to the United States to learn more about who Abraham Lincoln was, as in many ways Lincoln is who America is. Our Lincoln Heritage Museum has been such a destination, as we witness visitors from nearly every state and many countries annually.

The Lincoln Heritage Museum allows visitors to appreciate the incredible life and legacy of Abraham Lincoln. As Lincoln famously said in his Gettysburg Address, “It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced.” So it is for us to carry the lessons of Abraham Lincoln and his times to new generations. With that in mind, our mission is to interpret for the public the life and legacy of Abraham Lincoln and the world in which he lived—particularly as it pertained to Illinois—and to be an academic resource for students from

elementary school through adulthood. We invite all to learn from Lincoln, and live like Lincoln.

Physical Location:

Lincoln College, chartered Lincoln University, began in 1865. Ground for the first building on campus, University Hall, was broken on Abraham Lincoln’s last living birthday. The Lincoln Heritage Museum began in 1942 when an 1887 Lincoln University alumnus Judge Lawrence Stringer willed his vast Lincoln and Logan County history collection to the college with the stipulation that a museum be established. Initially, the collection was placed in “The Lincoln Room”, dedicated on February 11, 1944. The entire collection moved to the McKinstry Memorial Building in 1971 when the collections became part of what was then called the Lincoln College Museum. The collection continued to grow with donations from Robert Todd Lincoln Beckwith, the last surviving direct descendant of Abraham

Lincoln, James Hickey, Ralph Newman, and John Gehlbach, among others.

What Others are Saying

“One of the 10 best Lincoln-related sites in Illinois” – Illinois NOW magazine

“A must-see attraction for the President’s admirers.” – American Heritage Magazine

“A treasure trove of information for history buffs” – Ideals Guide to Presidential Homes & Libraries

What Visitors are Saying

“100% Great”  – James, Minnesota

“Awesome!” – Celina, Ohio

“Great Artifacts” – Connie, Colorado

“Very Informative” – Elaine, Nebraska

“Without a doubt, the best Abe Lincoln museum” – Don, Florida

“Wow! A Hidden Treasure” – Kathryn, Illinois

Lincoln College

The Lincoln Heritage Museum is under the auspices of Lincoln College, a 501(c)(3) educational institution.

Staff

Tom McLaughlin
Lincoln Heritage Museum Director
tmclaughlin@lincolncollege.edu

Anne E. Moseley
Lincoln Heritage Museum Assistant Director and Curator
amoseley@lincolncollege.edu

Contact Us

Lincoln Heritage Museum
300 Keokuk Street
Lincoln, IL  62656
(217) 735-7399
(217) 732-2815
museum@lincolncollege.edu