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BLOOMINGTON-NORMAL
(140 Miles from Downtown Chicago — 70 miles
from Springfield)
Lincoln probably spent more time in Bloomington
than any other city in Central Illinois outside of
Springfield. He had many close political and legal
associates from this area, including David Davis, whose
influence on Lincoln’s legal career and run for the
presidency were crucial to Lincoln’s success. The
McLean County History Museum, housed in an old court-house
on the square in Bloomington, is good place to
learn about the area.
Bloomington-Normal provides a variety of historic,
educational and entertaining attractions, including the
Children’s Discovery Museum, the Miller Park Zoo, and
in the summer, Shakespeare under the Stars. If you add
galleries, unique retail shopping, dining and summer
festivals, this area is a great place to visit.
For information: Bloomington-Normal Area
Convention and Visitors Bureau, 1-800-433-8226
DAVID DAVIS MANSION
STATE HISTORIC SITE
1000 E. Monroe — near east Washington and Davis
Avenue
This beautifully
restored 19th-century
mansion
tells the story of
Lincoln and
David Davis —
two self-made
men from very
different back-grounds.
Davis
helped to shape Lincoln’s
political career and was
responsible, in part, for his
success in obtaining the
Republican nomination.
The house, which contains a remarkable array of mid-
19th-century modern conveniences, also serves to
illustrate the life of a wealthy
Victorian family. This is an envi-ronment
that is not typically associ-ated
with Lincoln, but he often
moved comfortably in circles that
included politically and socially
powerful men. The Davis Mansion
is the best place to hear that part of
Lincoln’s story.
For information: 309-828-1084
Hours: January – December
Wednesday – Sunday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
(Last tour starting at 4:00 PM)
LINCOLN’S BLOOMINGTON AND NORMAL
ILLINOIS: A TOUR NARRATED BY ABRAHAM
LINCOLN
In this CD-Audio, President Lincoln reminisces about the
places he visited and their meaning to him. The tour
includes sites in the historic downtown where Lincoln
practiced law, the building where Jesse Fell suggested
Lincoln run for the presidency and other sites. The
accompanying booklet includes photographs, tour direc-tions,
maps and commentary. Special tour markers are
placed at the designed stops on the tour.
The tour may be purchase for $19.95 at the Museum of
History, 200 N. Main Street, Bloomington, IL 61701
For information: 309-827-0428, www.mchistory.org
Hours: Monday, Wednesday – Saturday,
10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Labor Day to Memorial Day
BLOOMINGTON-NORMAL
BLOOMINGTON-NORMAL
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