Lincoln's New Salem State Historic Site

I don't think a trip to the Springfield area would be complete without coming here first and seeing where everything started for Mr. Lincoln. Be sure to see the film first and then visit the buildings at your leisure while seeing demonstrations and people strolling around in period clothing.

They have a nice little gift shop with all sorts of goodies in every price range imaginable.

The only thing that surprised me after having not been here in nearly 40 years is it was just as buggy as it was back then. I guess because it's heavily wooded and the Sangamon River is right next to it! I felt like I was doing the Australian wave!

One thing that's very cool that I'd have definitely taken advantage of if I lived in the area and had kids is the Pioneer camp. What a great thing for them! They dress up and are part of the whole scene while learning all about that period of time. How fun would that be for them?!!

This is the best way to see and feel the early simple life of Abe Lincoln. The log cabin village was recreated very well. Using the guide map, you can take a self guided tour through the entire village learning which villager handled what job and with what little tools they has. You could also see where Lincoln got his first business experience. It was a great way to teach my daughter that there were simpler, but harder times in the past and that we need to be grateful for all of people in our past that helped paved way for us to have the lives we have now and for the future lives of the young children today.

The village could use more volunteers dressed in the period clothing to help explain more of what we were seeing and how life was during those times, but volunteers may have been low due to the holiday weekend.

Overall, great learning experience.