Lincoln Boyhood Home

Right across the street from Lincoln State Park is the Lincoln Boyhood Home.  At first, I thought it was part of the state park, but it is actually a national memorial run by the National Park Service.  Having grown up in Illinois, I feel it is only fitting to inundate my children with the same amount of Abraham Lincoln information that I learned.  Of course, we went on one of the hottest days of the week. And, the humidity! At least it was a neat place to visit and explore.  The staff was very friendly and the time of day we went, I felt like we had the run of the park.

Stone carved pictures on the park building, very cool.

The Gettysburg Address.  I had to memorize this in 2nd grade.

We forced the kids to watch a video on the boyhood of Lincoln.  Look how excited they are. Also, notice that we are the only ones in the theater.

Marcus, not quite a tall as Lincoln, yet.  Standing in Lincoln's shoes (or replica shoes???)

Ewan, nowhere close.  Even with the help of a smurf.

The start of our trek through the park.  Since this is a national site, you can get your Junior Ranger badge here.  Liam had already earned his for the Smoky Mtns. and wanted to get another one-we love to collect things!  Cale got his booklet to earn his Junior Ranger badge, too.

This is a stone marker for Nancy Hank's (Lincoln's mother) grave.  For whatever reason, people throw pennies at the site.  Guess who had some in her purse?

Junior-Rangers-to-be. Working hard.

We walked to the area where they had 

My little townies don't get to see farm animals very much.

The boys got to use some tools.

On the way back, we walked on the Trail of Twelve Stones.  Each stop had a stone significant to Lincoln's life.  I don't know if these stones were replicas or the real thing.  There was one from the Illinois state capital and the White House.  Anyway, the walk was shaded, which made it bearable.  And, it was fun to read about the stones at each stop.

Yes, my kids stepped on all the rocks like they were claiming a territory.

Or, they tried to sit on them.

Back at the memorial, Cale and Liam finished their requirements for their Junior Ranger badges and were sworn in to protect the park.

A happy Ranger Liam.

And, the park profited well from our trip.  We left with memories, 2 fresh Junior Rangers, 3 stuffed buffaloes, a quill and ink writing set and a new vacation magnet for our refrigerator.