Lincoln Homestead - Springfield, KY

As we traveled to MN one focus of our trip was on Abraham Lincoln, our beloved 16th President of the United States. I want my children to know all they can about this good, honorable man. I made a point to map out as many Lincoln sites along our route that we could fit in and that time allowed. 

First stop along our Lincoln route was in Springfield, Kentucky a charming, tiny town that if you blinked you would miss it. I know what you're thinking. "Don't you mean Springfield, Illinois?"  We definitely cover that town later on our road trip, but the Lincoln family also has roots in Springfield, KY. 

Don't you just love Main Street!

Lincoln's parents were married here making it the best place to begin our journey into understanding the character of this great man.

We stopped by the house of Mordecai Lincoln, the oldest brother of Thomas Lincoln and the only Lincoln relative Abraham ever knew. This home was built in 1797 by Mordecai and is the only home owned by the Lincoln family still standing in Kentucky. We were lucky enough to arrive with the last few rays of daylight. It was magical watching the sun set over the field across from the Mordecai House as the fireflies emerged for the night!

Then we headed over to the Lincoln Homestead State Park as fast as we could in order to check it out before it got too dark. (Needless to say we really enjoyed our time a little bit too much at the Knoxville Zoo which made getting here on time really hard!) It got dark quickly so I apologize in advance for all of the following photos. We plan to return to this site later this year during the day.

There were informational plaques around the back of the visitor center which helped since we were there so late.

Abraham Lincoln's parents were Nancy Hanks and Thomas Lincoln. They had three children together: Sarah Lincoln (1807-1828), Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865) and Thomas Lincoln (died 1812 in infancy). Unfortunately, Nancy died from milk sickness on Oct. 5th 1818 when Abraham was only nine years old. Abraham Lincoln said, "All I am and ever hope to be I owe to my angel mother."

Here is the original home of Nancy Hanks and her family. Lincoln's parents were married in this house by the Reverend Jesse Head on June 12, 1806.

Even though we arrived late and everything was closed we had fun at the Lincoln Homestead State Park.