Exceeding expectations

Front of Lincoln Presidential Museum

Wax figures in front of Lincoln White House exhibit

My visit to Springfield, Illinois this past weekend exceeded my expectations! 

I expected to enjoy the Lincoln Presidential Museum, but not nearly as much as I did. I also did not expect to enjoy the town of Springfield as much as I did. So, the little weekend jaunt was a success. 

The only slightly unpleasant part was the drive to get there Friday. I left about 3 p.m. I am south of Nashville, and getting around downtown and then north of Nashville was slow, with afternoon traffic being heavy. I think it's even heavier on a Friday. 

Not long after dark fell, it began to rain, and it rained on me the rest of the way. What my maps app told me would take five hours and 45 minutes took about seven hours. The return trip was much easier. The weather was beautiful Sunday, and it took just under six hours. 

The time in Springfield was delightful. The Lincoln Museum is very well done, with just enough artifacts and exhibits to keep me interested, as well as some interactive exhibits and films. 

The museum is divided into three parts: Lincoln's childhood and time up until he was elected president; the White House years; and "treasures" which includes historical artifacts and additional information on the Lincoln family. 

I came away an even bigger fan than I was of Lincoln and his presidency. His genius was in making his enemies his allies, as Doris Kearns Goodwin described in her excellent book Team of Rivals, which I read a few years ago. I don't doubt that politics was nasty and polarizing then, as it is today, but I believe our current presidential candidates could take some lessons in civility from our 16th president. 

I spent the morning at the museum, taking my time and reading almost every word-narrative that went with the exhibits. I also spent some time talking to volunteers who were placed strategically throughout the building. It was a rather slow day there (which I loved, because I did not have to navigate through crowds), so they were eager to talk and share interesting information. 

I had looked up places I might have lunch, and found a great local brewpub. I went in, saw one stool available at the bar and took it. I ordered one of the local beers and told the bartender I would shortly order food. 

Being introverted by nature, I am not one to always strike up conversations with strangers. But the guy sitting next to me on my right looked to be about my age, so I took a breath and asked him if he lived in Springfield. Turns out he was born and raised there. He told me he was an architect and was working a few hours on this Saturday, so decided to come over to this establishment for lunch. A very interesting conversation ensued, and I am so glad I spoke to him. 

He gave me all types of information on what I should see the rest of my time in Springfield, and being an architect, had an abundance of knowledge of buildings in the area. He was tremendously interesting to talk to, and I consider it a great stroke of luck to be able to talk about a place that was new to me, over beers with a local. The lunch -- a turkey burger with potato salad -- was great, too. 

I spent the afternoon going to Lincoln's home and the surrounding area, which is a national park. I went to the visitors' center, saw another film and walked around the neighborhood. 

From there I went to the state capitol, which my new friend from lunch had told me was must-see. Like so many buildings of its kind, it had a beautiful dome and I walked up three flights, just below the dome's top, to look up and down. I was too late for a tour that day, but enjoyed what I could see for myself. 

From there it was to Lincoln's tomb, where he, his wife and three of his sons are buried. 

It would not be inaccurate, with me as the only traveler, to say a good time was had by all!