For those of you who may not know, I am a huge fan of Abraham Lincoln. Okay; slightly obsessed, but in a good way! I could not give you any one specific reason why this is, it just is. I have adored him for as far back as I can remember; meaning, I did a speech about him in kindergarten or first grade! I think one of the things I admire about him more than anything was his quick wit, and ability to reply to any comment or question with a brilliant quip; many of which are still repeated today. I will be making my first ever visit to this library, as well as Lincoln’s Tomb, and so many other historical sites, in three months!

At 98,000 square feet, this library holds over 12 million books and publications. 47,000 of these are part of the Lincoln Collection, and is the largest collection of artifacts for Lincoln in the world. The library also holds numerous documents and artifacts for all things Illinois. I have a feeling when I step foot in that library, I am going to be telling someone to ship all my clothes, and my cat, because I will not want to leave!

The library contains what is called the “Whispering Gallery”; a dark, crooked hallway full of pictures and actual political cartoons and articles demonstrating the difficulty and hatred that the Lincoln’s faced both during his elections and his terms. While walking through, you hear whispering of actual things that were said to Mr. Lincoln throughout his political career.

2015 is the 150th anniversary of the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln, and my boyfriend, my children, and I will be in Springfield, Illinois for “The 2015 Lincoln Funeral Train”. They are currently constructing a replica of the Lincoln funeral train, which will be travelling from Washington, D.C. to Springfield, Illinois. Obviously there will be some detours and reroutes happening due to the limitation of the railroad system compared to the 1860’s, but it is making several stops in major cities along the way, identical to the original route of President Lincoln’s funeral procession.

To learn more about this remarkable undertaking and event, visit the 2015 Lincoln Funeral Train website here: http://www.the2015lincolnfuneraltrain.com/

I am beyond excited to be a part of this amazing event, and I know it is an experience I will never forget.

You can visit the Presidential Library website here: http://www.lincolnlibraryandmuseum.com/