Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial

Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial is a United States National Memorial in Southwestern Indiana.

Understand

This memorial preserves the site of the farm where Abraham Lincoln spent 14 years of his childhood.

History

Abraham Lincoln's family moved to Indiana in 1816 and stayed in the state until moving to Illinois in 1830. Lincoln lived in this memorial's area from age 7-21. These years molded his body and mind into an intellectual of a man. The experiences that he had here shaped his life, all the way until his assassination in 1865.

The park consists of a visitors center, Lincoln's mothers gravesite, and the Lincoln Living Historical Farm.

Landscape

The park is in a very well forested area. Plenty of hiking trails offer accessibility to the forest. All of the buildings and landmarks were made to meld into the environment, to mix harmoniously with their surroundings, not to disturb them.

Flora and fauna

The area has been restored since the inception of the park in the 1920s, which declined in the late 1800s with the railway extensions and peoples taming of their environments.

Flora in the park include Japanese dogwoods, tulip poplar trees, maples, sweet gums, oaks, hickories, Japanese honeysuckle, and Japanese knotweed.

Fauna in the park include Scarlet tanigers, bluebirds, blue-tailed skinks, gray squirrels, chipmunks, red foxes, coyotes, snakes, owls, whitetail deer, raccoons, oppossums, shrews, deer mouse, white-footed mouse, house mouse, bats, eastern box turtle, and countless birds.

Climate

Located in Southern Indiana, near Evansville, the area experiences all four distinct seasons. Moderate winters, and hot and steamy summers, with nice spring and fall.

Get in

By car

I-64 heads east-west just north of Lincoln, City. US-231 heads north-south through Lincoln City.

By plane

Fees and permits

$3 entry. $10 for annual pass.

Get around

Most of the area is accessible by walking from the main center.

See
  • The tallest flagpole in Indiana at the first trail.
  • A 15-minute film about the park in the visitor center.
  • Cabin Memorial Site which is a bronze casting of an actual cabin foundation that symbolizes the cabin Lincoln lived in.
  • The pioneer cemetery including the burial place of Lincoln's mother, Nancy Hanks Lincoln.
  • Lincoln Spring which was the main source for fresh water when the Lincoln's lived here.

Do
  • Visit the visitor center which features information, a film, bookstore and exhibits, as well as the memorial made from Indiana limestone.
  • Have a picnic at any of the many picnic areas throughout the park.
  • Hike the trails that lead to other parts of the memorial park and beautiful grounds.
  • Experience the living history of the Lincoln family. During warm months the area is filled with costumed re-inactors farming, cooking, and educating visitors about the history and life of those who inhabited the area in the 1820s.

Buy

The visitor center features a bookstore and gift shop.

Eat

Lincoln City, Santa Claus, and Dale all feature various restaurants, but there are no dining areas are in the park.

Drink

See above.

Sleep

Lodging

There are plenty of chains to suit your stay in the area, below is a list of more unique and interesting lodging options.

  • Santa's Lodge, 91 W. Christmas Blvd, ☎ +1 812 937-1902. Santa Claus. The nicest lodge in the area, and everyday is Christmas. Nice guest rooms, suites and plenty of things to see and do. The worlds largest Santa Claus sits outside for photo ops. 
  • Saint Meinrad Guest House, 200 Hill Dr, ☎ +1 812 357-6585. St. Meinrad. Stay in the guest houses of Indiana's biggest Catholic monastery. Simple, affordable rooms in a relaxing, quiet environment. Sort of like a religious hostel if you will. Quite a cool experience! 

Camping
  • 🌍 Lincoln State Park, ☎ +1 812 937-4710. Hwy. 162, Lincoln City. Featuring over 200 sites - electric and primitive. Group camps, youth tent areas, dumping station, and group cottages.  

Backcountry

Stay safe

Stay on designated trails. There is a nearby railroad that runs just near the trails of the living history museum, so watch out.

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