The Land of Lincoln...and others.

The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum is the largest and most-visited presidential museum in the nation!  I know this because the postman delivered our Illinois State travel brochure!!!  While it's packed with many things that won't apply, it does have a lot of great photos, maps, and tidbits about some of the places we'll be seeing on our fabulous road trip. 

Illinois is proud of "producing" four presidents: Lincoln, Grant, Reagan, and Obama.  I'm not sure "producing" is really the right word - Lincoln was born in Kentucky, Grant in Ohio, and Obama in Hawaii.  Reagan was the only one born in Illinois but most people connect him with California.  It just goes to show how much states want a connection with a president so they can milk it for all its tourists dollars!

I'm sure we'll visit the Lincoln Library.  And the Lincoln Tomb.  And the Lincoln Home.  And the Lincoln-Herndon Law Offices.  Depending on travel time and a million other circumstances, we may be able to make it to Eureka, Illinois to see the Reagan Museum at Eureka College.  This is the largest collection of Reagan artifacts outside of California's Reagan Presidential Library.  The Eureka collection includes a portion of the Berlin Wall and exhibits that recall Reagan's life in Eureka as a student, his movie career, and his presidency.  (Insert history girl squee here). 

I'm pretty sure we will have to turn back at Springfield, so seeing anything related to Obama and Chicago and Grant and Galena is most likely out of the question.  But I'll do some digging and see what other presidential things we might come across on our adventure!

Beyond our presidential fun, the John Deere Pavilion & Historic Site is on the list of must-see.  And don't forget some good old fun on Route 66 between St. Louis and Springfield.  My mouth is watering just thinking about some good old diner food!  Illinois or bust!