Springfield, history at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum
While the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum offers exhibits that change only slightly, they also offer some rotating displays in the Illinois Gallery, offering a bit of Springfield history. If you want to see Lincoln: A Life and Legacy that Defined a Nation, you need to hurry because this will wrap on April 26, 2026. This is a cool exhibit with 100 objects that offer insight into more personal side the of the Lincoln family.
What you will find in the Lincoln Legacy
Best of all are the photos that literally come to life. They give you a glimpse of what the subjects looked like in real life, real time. What amazing technology! While you read and hear so much about Honest Abe, I especially enjoyed seeing the rare strawberry dress that Mary Lincoln wore, and the stunning heart shaped diamond pendant Lincoln gave to Mary. It was nice seeing some happier moments reflected since so much of their life included tragic events.
Another fascinating artifact is Tad Lincoln’s toy cannon. Lincoln had designed after the death of Willie Lincoln. The President requested this little gun be created and this twelve pound howitzer toy was the result.
Pillsbury Mill story, Springfield history
Most Springfield residents are familiar with the Pillsbury Mill. Once one of the largest mills in production in America, it is now being torn down on Springfield’s northside. So, this story is very timely for those that want to recall the history and impact. The Pillsbury Mill story is a current exhibit at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum. The exhibit is running until June 9, 2026, it opened on February 18, 2026. Like the Lincoln legacy exhibit, this too will end soon, so you need to hurry to see it.
The display shares the story of the former plant. The exhibit is just outside of the Ghosts of the Library Holavision Theater. This is located within the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum. The exhibit is part of the Community Case – Rotating Exhibit and it can be viewed with the purchase of a full admission ticket or special admission for just the Pillsbury exhibit.
Artifacts on display cover the early years from 1929 until 1949 and are based on stories from former workers, and donated artifacts. These include tools, barrels, and flour sacks used at the plant as well as employee cartoons, photos of events, and a plaque that honored workers who died in World War II. These items move the story from thoughts of Pillsbury as an industrial giant, to a story of workers and the lives they lived. To learn more, and keep up with current happenings, follow “Moving Pillsbury Forward, The Pillsbury Project” and get details of the past, the demolition progress and more.
These exhibits end soon, head to the museum and see central Illinois history right here in your own backyard.
