Old State Capitol State Historic Site
1 Old State Capitol Plaza, Springfield, IL 62701
Historic Sites
Within these walls a great man rose to prominence to become the 16th president of the United States. It was here Lincoln spoke the immortal words, “A house divided against itself cannot stand…” as the threat of a Civil War loomed.
The Old State Capitol is a reconstruction of Illinois' fifth statehouse, the first to be located in Springfield. It is here that Lincoln practiced law, served as a legislator and gave his famed House Divided speech on slavery in 1858. The building served as the seat of state government and a center of Illinois political life from 1839-1876. Also, the site of where Barack Obama announced his 2007 presidential candidacy. The current State Capitol Building is the center of state government, where visitors can watch Illinois politics in action when the legislature is in session.
Illinois 250
Images
More Information
- Mon: Closed
- Tue: 9:00am – 5:00pm
- Wed: 9:00am – 5:00pm
- Thu: 9:00am – 5:00pm
- Fri: 9:00am – 5:00pm
- Sat: 9:00am – 5:00pm
- Sun: Closed
Holiday Hours:
New Year’s Day Martin Luther King Jr. Day Presidents Day Labor Day Memorial Day
Independence Day
Free
How to find us?
What's happening nearby...
1776 at The Hoogland Center for the Arts
Hoogland Center for the Arts • Jul 01 – Jul 05 @ 7:30PM
This patriotic musical, 1776, will be performed at the Hoogland in honor of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
Read more about 1776 at The Hoogland Center for the Arts
Springfield Lucky Horseshoes Baseball
Robin Roberts Stadium • May 27 – Jul 26 @ 6:30PM
Catch all the excitement of the 2026 Springfield Lucky Horseshoes' baseball season
Read more about Springfield Lucky Horseshoes Baseball
Levitt Amp Music Series in Downtown Springfield
The Y Block-Downtown Springfield • May 28 – Jul 30 @ 6PM
The Levitt Amp Concert Series is back for 2026 in downtown Springfield
Read more about Levitt Amp Music Series in Downtown SpringfieldYou might also be interested...
Camp Butler National Cemetery
Springfield
Once the site of a Union Civil War training camp and Confederate prison, now a national cemetery for veterans and their dependents. There are over 25,000…
Read more about Camp Butler National Cemetery
Bicentennial Plaza
Springfield
To mark Illinois' 200th birthday, the Bicentennial Plaza was developed in 2018 to create a walkway linking the Lincoln Home to the Governor's Mansion and State…
Read more about Bicentennial Plaza
Lincoln Home National Historic Site
Springfield
The national historic site, run by the National Park Service, includes the only home Abraham Lincoln ever owned, as well as a four-block neighborhood that reveals…
Read more about Lincoln Home National Historic Site