Traveling with the Schroeders -- Wisconsin and Illinois

In early August, we traveled to Wisconsin.  The attempt to see my parents fell apart, so we stayed with Faith in the Milwaukee area.  On Friday, August 6 we went to the Wisconsin State Fair.  Peter was very impressed with the size of the fair.  Naturally, we saw the pig races.  Peter and I went on the ferris wheel.  We were able to see downtown Milwaukee from the top.  Our highlight of the day was seeing The Kids from Wisconsin, a show choir and band of high school kids from around the state.  They were always a must-see for my Mom, so we had to catch their show.  They were excellent.  A hot day meant that we chose beverages over food, but the State Fair offers so much food that four stomachs would be helpful.  Note to Wisconsin State Fair goers: We did not get cream puffs.  Don't hate us.

We left Wisconsin on Sunday.  The daily forecast for the U.P. was rain, so we changed direction and headed south to Springfield.  We had been intending for years to get to the Abraham Lincoln sites down there.  They called for rain only on Sunday (and did they ever get it!), but Monday and Tuesday were clear. 

On Monday, August 9, we started at the Abraham Lincoln Home National Historic Site.  Admission is free.  What surprised us more than anything was that it was more than just Lincoln's house (the only one he ever owned); it was four square blocks of homes preserved to recreate the feel of the neighborhood Lincoln lived in.  Two homes were utilized for exhibits; others were used for national park purposes.

From there, we went to visit the Oak Ridge Cemetery to see Lincoln's Tomb.  Mary Todd Lincoln and three of their children are buried there as well.  (Robert is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.)  There are many statues in this monument.  It is worth the visit if you are already in Springfield.  Of course, it is free.

With only two hours left in the afternoon, we visited the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum.  We were pretty familiar with the life of Lincoln, so we were able to skim some of the history about him.  Still, we were very rushed.  Two hours is not enough time to do justice to everything there.  If you go to Springfield and have time for only one stop, this museum is the one to go to before all other sites.

There are numerous dioramas throughout which help to color the life and struggles of the Lincoln family.  Only a few pictures are included below.  It is best to go see it.  It was also very moving to see the display which depicted the president's coffin while lying in state.  It is no surprise that Lincoln died.  Still, the display was striking.  No pictures of that here; go see it.

Finally, on Tuesday, August 10, we visited Abraham Lincoln's New Salem site.  It is a restored village (only one building original, all others rebuilt on old foundations) which tries to give you the feeling of a twenty-something Lincoln settling into a short-lived village and trying to make a success of himself.  There are numerous stories about Lincoln's life from this time, but it seems that many of them are mythical.  Entertaining, but questionable.  We spent a few hours here, but decided that this would be the first place to be dropped from an itinerary if it had to be.  It is also about 20 miles away from Springfield, so you have to go there intentionally.  After our New Salem visit, it was time for the long trek home.  Another presidential museum under our belts, though, and long over due!

Here are some photos from the trip.

Peter and I from the top of the State Fair.

The Lincolns' bedroom.  I thought the wall paper might be a little to loud to wake up to each morning.

The best looking attraction in Springfield!

Here are the crossroads in the Lincoln neighborhood.  

Lincoln's house would be just off the camera shot on the left.

Two of Lincoln's son wreaking havoc in his law office.  Lincoln ignored them and let the wild play go without rebuke.  This was, apparently, typical, and not often well-received by law partners.

Lincoln and his cabinet strategizing during the Civil War.

Lincoln had attempted to run two general stores in New Salem.  Both failed.  

This is the second one.  Shortly after this venture, he served as postmaster.