Did you know Abraham Lincoln’s birthday is an official state holiday?
Check out the ways to observe Lincoln’s birthday in Central Illinois
Back in the day, Presidents Day wasn’t celebrated in the state of Illinois. No, in the Land of Lincoln, school was closed to honor Honest Abe’s birthday on Feb. 12.
For the most part, that practice has gone the way of the ditto machine. According to a Chicago Tribune columnist, so many school districts had requested waivers for the day that the state dropped the requirement. (But there are still state offices that are closed — more on that below.)
Presidents Day — which is actually the observance of George Washington’s birthday — was declared a federal holiday in 1879 and moved to the third Monday in February in 1968.
Lincoln-related events planned for 2022
Happy Birthday Aby Baby: Lincoln’s Aging Face – Sunday, Feb. 13, 2 p.m.
Museum of the Grand Prairie (virtual event)
In celebration of Lincoln’s 213th birthday, Museum & Education Department Director Barb Garvey will review several portraits of Abraham Lincoln, some made in East Central Illinois. She’ll discuss how the new invention, the photograph, and individual photographers with differing skills captured Lincoln’s character at different phases of his life. You can view this online event on the Museum of the Grand Prairie Facebook page.
School’s Out Lincoln’s Birthday Celebration: Monday, Feb. 21 at 1 or 2:30 p.m.
Museum of the Grand Prairie (in-person event, registration required)
Looking for a fun and educational way to spend the day off from school for Presidents Day? Children ages 5-11 (with a grownup) can register to learn about the 16th president and make some fun crafts featuring one of Illinois’ favorite sons.
Registration is limited. $5 per child. One adult must accompany children. Register for the 1 p.m. session or 2:30 p.m. session.
If you are up for a day trip …
Lincolns4Lincoln Read-A-Thon and Book Drive: Saturday, Feb. 12 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum & Library, Springfield (in-person or virtual event)
Lincoln Log Cabin State Historic Site Amateur Radio Club Event: Saturday, Feb. 12 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Lincoln Log Cabin, Lerna
The National Trail Amateur Radio Club (NTARC) members will participate in a special event to celebrate President Lincoln’s birthday on Feb. 12 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. This special event station will be set up inside the Visitor Center lobby. Nearly 150 years before the advent of texts, tweets and e-mail, President Abraham Lincoln became the first “wired president” by embracing the original electronic messaging technology — the telegraph. The 16th president may be remembered for his soaring oratory that stirred the Union, but the nearly 1,000 bite-sized telegrams that he wrote during his presidency helped win the Civil War by projecting presidential power in unprecedented fashion. During the Civil War, telegraph wires were strung to follow the action on the battlefield. But there was no telegraph office in the White House, so Lincoln went across the street to the War Department to get the news. President Lincoln frequently slept on a cot in the telegraph room to hear the news of major battles. The NTARC members will be communicating with other amateurs from across the world using the Special Event call sign, W9L. This a great opportunity to learn about Ham Radio. Visitors will be allowed to talk on the radios under the direct supervision of an FCC licensed amateur. Brochures and handouts will be available about amateur radio.
What is closed?
The state of Illinois still “observes” Lincoln’s birthday as a holiday. In some pockets around the state — especially Springfield and Chicago — there are significant closings of state offices, courthouses and more.
But in Champaign-Urbana, the “celebration” is very muted. Courthouses are open; state offices appear to be open as well. (When in doubt, call. We haven’t scanned every state office in the area.)
The DMV, aka the Illinois Secretary of State Facilities in Champaign, Rantoul, Monticello, and Tuscola (as well as the rest of the offices all over the state) will be closed on Friday, Feb. 11. In addition, these facilities will be closed on Saturday, Feb. 19, in honor of Washington’s birthday a.k.a. Presidents Day. (The Secretary of State Facilities are always closed on Mondays.)
Learning about Lincoln in Champaign-Urbana and Champaign County
While we will never be confused with Springfield, it can’t be denied that Champaign-Urbana played a major role in President Abraham Lincoln’s early life. More accurately, make that Champaign County and more specifically, Urbana. (Champaign wasn’t actually incorporated until 1860, the year before Lincoln left Illinois for the White House.)
Find the house where Lincoln slept in Urbana (404 W. Illinois St.). Abraham Lincoln stayed overnight as a guest in the house of Ezekiel Boyden, a two-time mayor of Urbana, on Sept. 24, 1858. The house actually sat at a different address in those days.
Go on an Abraham Lincoln scavenger hunt. There are several Lincoln statues and monuments in Champaign-Urbana. The most famous ones are those in Carle Park (visible from Race Street) and the famous bust, located appropriately enough in Lincoln Hall on the University of Illinois campus. Also on campus, there’s a newer Lincoln statue outside the Alice Campbell Alumni Center off (appropriately enough) Lincoln Avenue in Urbana.
Other Lincoln sites in Central Illinois include, of course, Springfield. Check out our article about what to do in Springfield.
All year long
Take a tour (virtual or in-person) through the Lincoln home in Springfield. Now is a great time to “tour” this national site for free — virtually! The virtual tour is available by clicking here. Want to visit the home in person? This National Historic Site is open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and you can pick up tour passes for that day when you arrive.
Take a field trip – Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, Springfield
With free admission on Lincoln’s birthday on Feb. 12, it’s a great time to plan a visit to this museum in Springfield. Reserve your tickets (even the free ones) here.
Lincoln Log Cabin, Charleston
Visit the Visitor’s Center at the Lincoln Log Cabin near Charleston, Walk around the outdoor grounds while you’re there. Get the scoop on the website here.
