Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park by Denise M. Colby

On a recent trip, I had the privilege to visit the Lincoln Birthplace National Park. Located in Larue County, Kentucky, it is comprised of a visitor center (with museum and gift shop), grounds to walk around and picnic on, and a memorial building housing a replica of the one-room log cabin Lincoln was born and raised in until he was two.

What is the Lincoln Birthplace National Park?

The actual location of the park is where Lincoln was born and lived until he was two. Originally when they built the memorial they believed the cabin was the original, but later it was discovered it was not. That is marked clearly on one of the signs providing details of the park.

There is a second park called Knob Creek connected to this one. Down the way about 15 minutes, is where the family moved when Lincoln was 2. He lived there until age 7 and then the family moved to a homestead in Indiana (which is preserved as the Lincoln Boyhood National Museum.

The Memorial Building

They built the memorial building with key features. Sixteen windows, Sixteen rosettes on the celing, sixteen fence poles, all represent what number president he was. There are 56 steps from the base to reach the building representing what age Lincoln died.

Theodore Roosevelt began construction and President Taft was the one who dedicated it after completion.

There is a sinking spring deep underneath the memorial, which is where the original farm had gotten its name.

The Visitor Center

The museum in the visitor center highlights the family history (tracing back to 1550) and displays furniture and tools used during the timeframe of Lincoln’s birth. His father was a carpenter and there’s a table he built on display. There’s also a family Bible. There’s even a game called Gateway to the Presidency.

 

Other Lincoln Things to See

The general vicinity celebrates the connection to Abraham Lincoln. In nearby Springfield, there’s a Lincoln Legacy Museum. We didn’t stop, but according to TripAdvisor it is a great spot to stop. Springfield proudly promotes that they are where Thomas Lincoln and Nancy Hanks met and were married before leasing the land at Sinking Springs.

As we drove through Hodgenville, they had a statue of Lincoln in the center of town facing a statue of Lincoln as a young boy. The boy statue includes a dog, and I was hoping it was Fido, but Fido was Lincoln’s dog as an adult and this one was his childhood pet.

 

In downtown Lexington, there is the Mary Todd Lincoln house. We toured that as well, and I’ll share that in another post. I will say it was interesting to see the differences with how each of them were raised.

Book 4 in the Best-laid Plans Series releases May 26, 2026

California, 1870. Pastor William Baker built his life on steady faith and safe choices, but the arrival of Lydia Spencer upends everything. Independent and outspoken Lydia is unlike any woman he’s ever known. Lydia is a Pinkerton detective, undercover as a schoolteacher while tracking a dangerous crime boss. She’s determined to protect her friends in Washton even if it means keeping her distance from the kind, steadfast pastor who sees too much. But when Will and Lydia are thrown together in a search for truth they find themselves fighting not only for justice, but for a future neither had planned.

Denise M. Colby writes historical romance sweetened with faith, hope, and love. She finds history fascinating and contemplates often how it was to live in the 1800's. Her debut novel, When Plans Go Awry, is a 2025 Carol Award finalist. Sign up for her newsletter at www.denisemcolby.com or follow Denise on Facebook, Instagram, Bookbub, Pinterest, or GoodReads.