Lincoln Log Cabin State Historic Site, Lerna

About Lincoln Log Cabin State Historic Site

Lincoln Log Cabin State Historic Site preserves the 19th-century home of Thomas and Sarah Bush Lincoln in Lerna, Illinois. Visitors start at the Visitor Center to watch a 14-minute film about the Lincolns and 1840s life before exploring the 86-acre site. The centerpiece is an accurate reproduction of the two-room cabin, reconstructed in 1935–1936. Two working living history farms staffed by costumed volunteer interpreters demonstrate the contrast between subsistence and progressive farming methods of that era. The Stephen and Nancy Sargent farmstead, moved to the site, broadens understanding of Lincoln's legal practice in the community. The Moore Home, where Lincoln bid farewell to his family in 1861 before assuming the Presidency, also stands on the grounds. Visitors can explore trails and natural areas for walks, fishing, and bird-watching. Picnic pavilions, a playground, and a gift shop with locally sourced items complete the experience.