President Abraham Lincoln’s Grave: A Visitor’s Guide
President Abraham Lincoln’s grave is in the Oak Ridge Cemetery in Springfield, Illinois. A beautiful granite monument is the final resting place of President Abraham Lincoln, his wife, Mary Todd Lincoln, and three of their four sons: Edward, William, and Thomas.
It was designed by famed architect Larkin Goldsmith Mead, whose other well-known works include the dome of the Vermont Capitol and National Statuary Hall, a chamber in the United States Capitol devoted to sculptures of prominent Americans.
The monument honors Lincoln and is home to his grave, but it also honors the soldiers who fought under Lincoln during the Civil War.
Visiting President Abraham Lincoln’s Grave
When I visited on a late spring afternoon, I was stunned by the monument’s beauty. The obelisk, an ancient Egyptian symbol of leadership, soars 117 feet high. At its base is a large statue of Lincoln, whose outstretched hands hold a copy of the Emancipation Proclamation. The monument also includes four bronze statues honoring soldiers’ service during the Civil War. The Infantry, Cavalry, Artillery, and Navy statues adorn each corner. At the base is an unbroken chain listing all the States in the Union, including those of the Confederacy.
As I walked towards the monument from a half-full parking lot a short distance away, I saw a crowd of people congregating at a bronze sculpture in front of the entrance to the memorial. I headed that way as people took turns posing in front of a giant bust of Lincoln. One by one, families posed for photos in front of the massive rendition of Honest Abe. The bust of Lincoln was a bronze cast of an original marble sculpture by Gutzon Borglum, displayed in the U.S. Capitol crypt. Robert Todd Lincoln, the President’s eldest son, said of the bust, “I think it is the most perfect portrait of my father I have ever seen.” Gutzon Borglum is best known for Mount Rushmore.
Rub Lincoln’s nose for good luck
I noticed something peculiar as I stood there reading a sign about the sculpture. Each person was taking a quick second to rub Lincoln’s nose. Upon closer inspection, Lincoln’s nose was the only part of the statue that had not long oxidized and was still shiny bronze. A gentleman in a University of Illinois Fighting Illini t-shirt was holding up his young son to rub the nose when I asked, “Why is everyone touching the nose?” He responded, “It’s supposed to bring good luck.”
President Abraham Lincoln’s Burial Chamber
I could not argue with that! My wife and I waited our turn to give the nose a quick rub. Afterward, we headed inside the tomb, where we were immediately greeted by a lovely elderly volunteer, who very politely reminded us to keep our hands to ourselves and our voices down.
The foyer was beautiful. It has a bronze model of the Daniel Chester French Statue, which can be viewed inside the original Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. Along the corridors to and from the burial chamber are several bronze statues commemorating different stages of Lincoln’s professional life.
Lincoln Burial Chamber
The burial chamber holds the remains of President Lincoln, his wife Mary, and three of their four sons. Lincoln’s eldest son, Robert, is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
President Lincoln’s grave is just behind the large Arkansas marble monument near the center of the chamber. The words “Now he belongs to the ages” are inscribed on the wall. They are said to have been uttered by Secretary of War Edwin Stanton at Lincoln’s deathbed.
There are flags surrounding the gravestone. The four to the left are the states where Lincoln’s ancestors once lived: Massachusetts, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. To the right, it honors the states where Lincoln lived: Kentucky, Indiana, and Illinois. The United States of America flag rests behind the monument. Mary Lincoln and their three sons are buried there, resting, facing the President’s monument.
We spent about an hour at Lincoln’s Tomb and took our time. Many people around us were there for 15 minutes or less.
Other President Abraham Lincoln historical places to visit
There are many places to learn more about President Abraham Lincoln. His house in Springfield is preserved at the Lincoln Home National Historic Site. You can tour the home! The place where he first lived in Illinois can be visited at the Lincoln Trail Homestead State Park, a short drive east of Springfield.
The Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial is in southern Indiana. His birthplace is protected at the Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park in Kentucky.
In Washington D.C, you can visit Ford’s Theater and see where he was assassinated, as well as the bed he died in across the street. The Ford’s Theater Museum has the gun John Wilkes Booth used to assassinate Lincoln. Also, in D.C., you can visit the Lincoln Cottage he frequented during his time in the White House.
Other places have tidbits of Lincoln’s History. For example, the Soldiers and Sailors Monument in Lewiston, Pennsylvania, has the only piece of Lincoln’s tomb outside of Illinois.
There are other places to visit, but we have yet to go!
