Abraham Lincoln's birthday party in Springfield, Illinois

courtesy of Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum

Where can you go to enjoy a 200th birthday party for America’s most beloved President? Just a day’s drive from Wichita is the city of Springfield, Illinois, which will celebrate the bicentennial birthday of their favorite son on February 12 with not just one, but TWO major birthday parties. Although I now live in Kansas, Springfield is my hometown, so I have the inside track on all the festivities.

Some of Lincoln’s most pivotal years were spent in Springfield, and the law office where he worked, the home where he lived, the Statehouse where he delivered his House Divided speech, and the depot where he bid Springfield farewell as he left on a train for Washington, DC, are all still intact and waiting to be visited. After his death, Springfield claimed their son for eternity, and the site of his Tomb is the final resting place of Abraham, his wife Mary Todd, and three of his four sons.

But the newest, and by far the most flamboyant, Lincoln attraction is the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, which officially opened in April 2005. This world-class Museum owes some of its pizazz to the fact that former Disney imagineers had a hand in its planning. The ALPLM was designed to make history come alive for children who have grown up learning through computers and video technology. Ingenious special effects (like the holograms in the two 4-D theaters) make history anything but boring.

Springfield is definitely the place to be this month, if you have any interest at all in our 16th President. An original drama set in Ford’s theater in the days following Lincoln’s assassination will be presented, an 1860s period ball (complete with antique instruments, Civil War era fashions, and the cutting of Abraham Lincoln’s birthday cake—an apple cinnamon cheesecake), will be held, and several renowned Lincoln authors will offer free public programs.

And what’s “the write way” to celebrate a late President’s 200th birthday? Why, with a Lincoln authors event, of course! More than 20 authors of books about Abraham Lincoln will converge on Springfield on Thursday for an unprecedented, all-day literary event.

Rounding off the day will be the Abraham Lincoln Association’s party, which will feature chocolate raspberry cheesecake. The Birthday Party starts at 7 p.m. at Springfield’s Crowne Plaza Hotel. The main ballroom is sold out, but overflow seating is available at $45 by calling (866) 865-8500.

“To this place and the kindness of these people, I owe everything.” Lincoln always spoke fondly of Springfield, and the town is certainly determined to do right by him this month. Happy Birthday, Abe!

Author's Note: This is the first of a four-part series on Springfield, Illinois, Abraham Lincoln's Hometown. You can read the second part here, the third part here, and the fourth part here.