Today’s whirlwind tour of central Illinois proved to be an unexpected treasure of academic excellence and great American history.
University of Illinois
Our morning began at the University of Illinois campus and its blend of historic architecture and modern facilities. We stopped here because Doug’s good friend, Keith Love, attended the school – a university whose reputation for engineering and computer science excellence is well-earned.
Illinois State Capitol
By mid-morning, we’d arrived at the Illinois State Capitol in Springfield for a free guided tour. The neoclassical dome dominates the skyline at an impressive 361 feet tall—taller than the U.S. Capitol. Our guide revealed that when completed in 1888, it was the tallest non-church structure in the entire world. The interior is equally magnificent, featuring 9 different types of marble, massive bronze doors weighing 500 pounds each, and (no surprise) a stunning stained glass dome. The House chamber’s ornate ceiling mural and crystal chandeliers reflect Illinois’ ambition during the Gilded Age. Everywhere we looked there was exquisite craftsmanship and beautiful details.
Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum
The highlight of our day was undoubtedly the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum. Unlike other presidential libraries that focus primarily on documents and artifacts, this museum creates immersive historical experiences. “Ghosts of the Library” uses Holavision® technology (a proprietary holographic technique) to bring Lincoln’s story to life with ghostly figures appearing alongside the narrator. The “War Gallery” features life-sized dioramas with incredibly realistic figures depicting pivotal Civil War moments, and the “Journey” galleries trace Lincoln’s path from humble beginnings to the presidency. There were several exceptional displays in the “Journey” gallery that make it wonderful for kids and adults alike:
- The museum uses a modern day news format to talk about the different candidates that were running for President, due to the division within the country, when President Lincoln won. It’s very clever and a great way to use television to teach history.
2. Due to the division in the country, there were many ugly things written about Lincoln at the time. Some of the political cartoons and newspaper headlines in what the museum called “The Whispering Gallery” were shocking, even given our lack of respect for those governing these days. Cruel and critical press clippings even made terrible comments about the appearance of Lincoln’s wife, Mary Todd!
3. Holographic style movies with different characters expressing their concerns over how the government was being run were motion-sensor triggered as we walked down a darkened hall. These highly opinionated reviews really brought home all that Lincoln was up against and how precarious the situation in the country was.
4. Standing as if on the stage at the Lincoln theater, one of the final displays shows Lincoln’s assassin sneaking up behind him. Then there’s a moving recreation of the presidential funeral, complete with a replica of Lincoln’s casket in a room designed to look exactly like the State Capitol’s Representative Hall where his body lay in state.
The attention to historical detail, their clever use of technology to teach history as if this were all going on today, and the emotional impact of this museum set it apart from more traditional presidential libraries. It’s a great one to take kids or teenagers to if you’re in the area!
Oak Ridge Cemetery and Lincoln’s Tomb
Our final stop for the day was Oak Ridge Cemetery to visit Lincoln’s Tomb. The 117-foot tall granite monument houses the remains of Abraham, Mary Todd, and three of their four sons. Standing before this solemn memorial, we reflected on the extraordinary legacy of this self-educated man from the Illinois frontier who guided America through its greatest crisis.
Just a one-day visit to Springfield offered a profound connection to both Illinois’ vibrant present and its pivotal role in American history—a journey well worth taking for anyone passing through the Land of Lincoln.
Did you know that the oldest and largest aviati
#camphairdontcar
