Old State Capitol State Historic Site — Attraction in Springfield

The most memorable part of our visit to the Old State Capitol was standing in the very room where Abraham Lincoln delivered his iconic “House Divided” speech. Much like touring his home, there’s something deeply moving about walking in the footsteps of such a monumental figure in American history. Being in the place where his political career began brings the past to life in a powerful and unforgettable way. The building itself is a beautiful example of mid-19th-century architecture, and its presence in the heart of Springfield creates an impressive backdrop. A quick online search describes the Capitol’s architecture and surrounding grounds as ideal for a romantic stroll—and in many ways, the setting does feel steeped in history and charm. That said, during both of our visits—two years apart—we noticed individuals experiencing homelessness gathered near prominent features like the Lincoln family statue in front of the building. While we recognize this is an issue faced by many cities, it does affect the overall vibe and may not fully align with the picturesque experience promoted online. Inside, the building houses numerous artifacts with historical significance, but the exhibit layout felt disorganized. Although a friendly guide at the entrance provided a brief introduction, there was no formal tour offered. Many displays were unlabeled or lacked context, leaving visitors to piece things together by reading small placards throughout the rooms. As a result, the experience felt more like a self-directed wander than an intentional, immersive journey through history. This wouldn’t have been as disappointing if the exhibits followed a clearer timeline or narrative structure, or if there had been more interpretive signage to guide the visitor through the experience. A thoughtfully designed, guided tour—or even a self-guided option with more historical framing—would add significant value. If staffing is a problem, an online audio tour via app using your own headphones would be helpful. Of all the former capitol buildings we’ve toured, this was unfortunately one of the least engaging. However, the opportunity to stand where Lincoln once stood still made the visit worthwhile for any history enthusiast or...

Review Date: April 11th, 2012

No no, Springfield is still the capital of Illinois. This is just the old capitol building

The confusion between capital and capitol is one that confuses many people. Truth be told, I had to double-check to make sure I was using the right one while typing this post. I will remember it for awhile until the proper spelling fades to the unused parts of my memory and I will inevitable use the wrong spelling in the future. Then I will be back to looking up the proper spelling again and I can go through all this over again. Do you forget which spelling is which for this?

Matt and I hit up a bunch of the big things to do in Springfield over a few different visits. It’s only natural to visit the old capitol building if you are exploring the capital. As with most kids who grew up in Illinois, the Old Capitol Building was probably one of your destinations during a trip to see the capital. I know it was a tradition for my school to come here during our grade school (3rd-5th grade) days. It was only fitting to return here as an adult during my traveling days.

We had to park a bit away and hoof it to the building. Despite this place being a tourist attraction in this day and age, the area surrounding it is still busy with businesses and other government facilities. . We were able to explore the building at our own leisure. There is staff on hand if you have any questions, but Matt and I were comfortable with exploring the place at our own pace. You don’t need to be a government history buff to enjoy this place. It’s cool to walk past rooms to see where history was made and see how things operated in the past. I’m sure if these walls could take, they would have a ton of stories to tell.

That’s about it. This is one of those places that is better to visit yourself or see a video of. Words just don’t really do it justice. It’s an experience that is more visual than anything and one you should experience if you visit Springfield. It won’t take up your entire afternoon. A simple stroll through it is more...

I visited the Old State Capitol after touring the modern-day state capitol. It was very cool to see the technological and functional differences between the two capitols. At the same time, it was interesting to realize that the fundamental operation of the government hasn't really changed much between Abraham Lincoln's era and now. The visit was especially moving when one of the tour guides gave a very vivid description of President Lincoln laying in state in the representatives hall where he once served. It was amazing to think that ten percent of the country at the time came to Springfield and filed through that same small room to pay their final respects to their fallen leader. The Old State Capitol is a must-see for anyone wanting to retrace Lincoln's steps in...