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Moore Home State Historic Site: A Glimpse into Lincoln's Family Life

Step back in time at the Moore Home, where Abraham Lincoln bid farewell to his family before his presidency. A preserved 1850s home in Lerna, Illinois.

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Visit the Moore Home State Historic Site in Lerna, Illinois, to see the preserved home of Reuben Moore and his wife Matilda, Abraham Lincoln's stepsister. This late 1850s home offers a unique look into the life of a middle-class family during the Civil War era and Lincoln's connection to the area.

A brief summary to Moore Home State Historic Site

Local tips

  • Check the operating hours before visiting, as they may vary depending on the season.
  • Combine your visit with a trip to the nearby Lincoln Log Cabin State Historic Site to learn more about Lincoln's family.
  • Take a guided tour for a richer understanding of the site's historical significance.
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Getting There

  • Driving

    The Moore Home State Historic Site is located at 400 Lincoln Hwy Rd, Lerna, IL 62440. From Charleston, Illinois, head south on Lincoln Highway/IL-16 for approximately 8 miles. The site will be on your left. Parking is available on-site.

  • Public Transport

    While direct public transportation to the Moore Home State Historic Site is limited, you can take a bus from Springfield to Mattoon. From Mattoon, you would then need to take a taxi or rideshare service to the site, which is approximately 10 miles away. Taxi/rideshare cost from Mattoon to the site is approximately $20-$30.

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Discover more about Moore Home State Historic Site

The Moore Home State Historic Site offers a glimpse into the life of a mid-19th century Illinois family and its connection to Abraham Lincoln. The home belonged to Reuben Moore and his wife, Matilda Johnston Hall Moore, who was Abraham Lincoln's stepsister. It was here, in January 1861, that President-elect Lincoln visited his stepmother, Sarah Bush Lincoln, and family for the last time before leaving for his inauguration in Washington, D.C.. The 1.5-story frame house, dating back to the late 1850s, showcases a more urban style of home compared to the log cabins that were common in the area at the time. The house features plaster walls, clapboard siding, and wood-burning stoves. Renovated in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps, the home is furnished with 1860s period pieces, providing visitors with a sense of the living conditions of a middle-class family after the Civil War. Today, the Moore Home stands as a reminder of the once-thriving town of Farmington, also known as Campbell. While the town diminished after the railroad bypassed it, the Moore Home remains, offering a tangible link to the past. The site is located near the Lincoln Log Cabin State Historic Site, where visitors can explore the preserved 1840s home of Lincoln's father and stepmother.

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