Lincoln’s New Salem State Historic Site

This is the best way to see and feel the early simple life of Abe Lincoln. The log cabin village was recreated very well. Using the guide map, you can take a self guided tour through the entire village learning which villager handled what job and with what little tools they has. You could also see where Lincoln got his first business experience. It was a great way to teach my daughter that there were simpler, but harder times in the past and that we need to be grateful for all of people in our past that helped paved way for us to have the lives we have now and for the future lives of the young children today.
The village could use more volunteers dressed in the period clothing to help explain more of what we were seeing and how life was during those times, but volunteers may have been low due to the holiday weekend.
Overall, great learning experience.

This was a really cool thing to do. We had fun but since we came on Memorial Day, there were few people acting like those from this time period. I think if you come when there are more people/​actors, it would be even more fun. Good for all ages and great snack shop. Nice visitor center (with clean bathrooms!!), great picnic area and ample parking.

I don’t think a trip to the Springfield area would be complete without coming here first and seeing where everything started for Mr. Lincoln. Be sure to see the film first and then visit the buildings at your leisure while seeing demonstrations and people strolling around in period clothing.
They have a nice little gift shop with all sorts of goodies in every price range imaginable.
The only thing that surprised me after having not been here in nearly 40 years is it was just as buggy as it was back then. I guess because it’s heavily wooded and the Sangamon River is right next to it! I felt like I was doing the Australian wave!
One thing that’s very cool that I’d have definitely taken advantage of if I lived in the area and had kids is the Pioneer camp. What a great thing for them! They dress up and are part of the whole scene while learning all about that period of time. How fun would that be for them?!!

Interesting to see buildings in a bit of context. Newish more of the historical actors were out, but probably only on weekends are there more. Really liked what the ones that were working told us about the buildings they were in. Nice way to experience the history lesson. Only 25 minutes from Springfield.

To the person who said it’s not really that great after the Lincoln Museum… you must not have taken the time to talk to any of the volunteers!
It’s basically a reconstructed town that lasted for a little over a decade, and where Abraham Lincoln got his start in Illinois. It’s not JUST about Lincoln though, there is so much to learn about life in that time period and in other frontier towns such as this which weren’t as much filled with families as it was filled with young entrepreneurs and businessmen.
Talk to the volunteers, ask them questions, you WILL learn a lot! They’re all dressed in period costume and walk around as actors, and they know quite a bit so don’t be shy!
We spent a good 30 minutes in the general store and the volunteer «shopkeeper» in there answered so many of our questions and gave us interesting facts about life back then. Then a lady and a little girl (also volunteers) dressed in period costume also wandered in and «bought» some supplies and stayed around to chat. We also got to speak with a volunteer at the cooper’s workshop, a very interesting place all around. The gift shop is very cool, lots of cute souvenirs and oddly enough I found the best little Bob Marley earrings here… for $ 4! How random LOL.

I am not much for walking around in the heat and looking at stuff, but I have to say that New Salem is very cool. It is run by volunteers who are very friendly and knowledgeable. Many of them used to live in Chicago. They take their time and explain everything they do. In addition, this place has a suggested donation of about $ 4 for person. Well worth the cost. One caution: Wear Bug Spray! Otherwise great addition to my trip to Springfield.

Let’s just say if you visit New Salem after the Lincoln museum in Springfield you won’t find this place as exciting.
You basically walk in a park of reconstructed old houses that represent the New Salem Lincoln used to live in.
The park is well done but the attractions and learning opportunity are minimum.
A nice stop if on your way but not necessarily worth a lot of your time.
Do bring bug spray, it’s s must.

Really? No one has reviewed this place before? I am shocked to say the least.
Ok I finally made my way to New Salem and was not disappointed. NOT AT ALL! All the volunteers there were excellent and very knowledgeable about all things Lincoln and New Salem. Before visiting I never even knew that New Salem had been a town nor that Lincoln had lived there!
I’m a complete sucker for old houses or houses built to look like they’re from the 1800s (or earlier) so imagine my excitement at seeing a whole town set up this way! And based on an actual historical town of New Salem. It was fascinating to me to learn all about the lives of these real townspeople. I loved the live livestock that lives there (an adorable horse, some cows and sheep, including some baby lambs) and overall, I just had a fabulous experience.
I unfortunately only had about 2 hours to spare on the day I visited but I will be visiting again so I can learn even MORE about my pal Abe.