The five senses are alive and well at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum! For pre-schoolers and early elementary children a visit to the Museum is an educational experience to see, hear, smell, taste and touch. Its exhibits and shows provide top quality, thought provoking viewing for all ages. It is the story of our 16th President told through realistically sculpted human-like figures, dioramas, shows and state of the art electronics, accompanied by music appropriate to the time.

As visitors enter the Museum Plaza, they are greeted by the Lincoln family, sculpted and dressed to look as they did in 1861. Their life-like appearance makes us anticipate them moving forward to welcome us to the Museum. How tempting it is to say, "Good Day, Mr. President" or to pat one of the boys on the head! This would be a good place to briefly discuss Mr. Lincoln, his family, and the Museum with young people. Although the entire Museum is not age appropriate for pre-schoolers, there are particular areas where young children will feel very comfortable. "Mrs. Lincoln’s Attic" is a special stop for young visitors. Here imaginations are unleashed. The "Attic" provides six play/learning areas: inside the log cabin, Lincoln Logs, dress-up area, Lincoln Home doll house, children’s library, and toy/game table. Children can dress up as Abe and Mary Lincoln, can step into a play-pretend adult role as they prepare a meal and tackle chores in the log cabin kitchen or they can play with a variety of toys or puzzles common to the 19th century. Adults can unwind a bit here also as there are several adult level books on Lincoln in the children’s library. When visiting "Mrs. Lincoln’s Attic", remember the unwritten rule: Please Touch.

From the Plaza, adults with Pre-K children can begin their tour at the Indiana log cabin. Listen carefully as you venture in. Who’s snoring? Is Abe cold? Why is he sitting so close to the fire? It’s dark; why doesn’t he turn on a light? When leaving the log cabin, exit to the Plaza and go across to the White House. A smiling Mary Todd Lincoln welcomes visitors to the Blue Room where she is being fitted for a new ball gown. She is surrounded by elegant dresses representative of the Civil War era. Did Mrs. Lincoln shop at the Mall? Do moms today dress like Mary Lincoln? Who helps you get dressed?

Staff are available for questions at all Museum exhibits. If you are not sure if an exhibit is appropriate for your child, talk to the staff regarding the exhibit’s content. Attending the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum is a bargain and a wonderful family outing. Allow your children to jump back in time as you prepare them for the future!

Learning about Lincoln
Below are a few questions young visitors will enjoy "researching" while getting familiar with the Museum:

• Look under your feet and find a penny in the Plaza. Whose picture is on this penny?

• Can you find a large wheel without its wagon? What shape is the wheel? What was it used for? How many spokes does it have?

• How many characters are standing in front of the White House? Who lives in the White House? Does your house look like the White House?

• Find young Abe Lincoln sitting on a tree stump; what color are his eyes; what do you think he’s thinking about?

• Can you find the Illinois state bird in a tree? What color is he? What kind of bird is he?

• Point to the sign in the Plaza with a white feather on it. Where do feathers come from? How might Mr. Lincoln have used a feather?

Attending the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum is a bargain and a wonderful family outing.

Allow your children to jump back in time as you prepare them for the future!  The Museum is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 

Ticket sales end at 4:00 p.m.  The Museum is closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. 

Please visit us as www.alplm.org for current admission prices and more information on gallery exhibits and special events.