Historical day-tripping in the Land of
Lincoln
Central Illinois offers an array of unusual museums and historic attractions near the capital city. If you’re looking for diversion on roads less traveled, and you have the time, we recommend these curiosities.
Abraham Lincoln’s Long Nine Museum
Traveling from New Salem to Springfield, Abraham Lincoln often stopped at Col. Matthew Rogers’ general store and post office. Here Lincoln and eight other Illinois lawmakers celebrated the move of the state capital from Vandalia to Springfield. Because the nine legislators averaged more than 6 feet in height, the group became known as the “Long Nine.” The building where they met and where Lincoln once visited with Col. Rogers is now known as the Long Nine Museum and features an audio diorama that describes the meetings of the Long Nine. In the basement of the building is the fireplace that originally sat in Rogers’ home.
The Long Nine Museum is located at 200 S. Main St. in Athens, just seven miles east of the New Salem Historic Site. Open June 1-Sept.1, Tue.-Sat. 1 p.m.-5 p.m., and by appointment. 217-636-8755 ext. 123.
Allis-Chalmers Museum
Dale Haymaker of Paris, Ill., has a treat for those fascinated with the Persianorange farm equipment. Haymaker’s museum, located on his farm, is devoted to all things Allis-Chalmers.
Three buildings make up the museum. One houses a 1950s-era Allis- Chalmers dealership display, filled with hundreds of stock parts, plus minibikes, generators, electric motors, a golf cart, a Terra Tiger, several snowblowers, power units and lots and lots of memorabilia and literature. A room in a second building features more than 100 Allis-Chalmers toys. A third building holds Haymaker’s collection of 60 Allis-Chalmers tractors, from 1914- 1957, including several rare models.
The Allis-Chalmers Museum is located on U.S. Highway 150, about seven miles east of Paris. Open yearround by appointment only. 217-275-3428.
The Anderson Mansion
Built in the late 1850s, the two-story Anderson Mansion in Carlinville is filled with antiques and collectibles and now serves as the home of the Macoupin County Historical Society. The home offers miniature displays, depicting life in mid-America during the 1800s, military memorabilia, medical practices of the time and details on Macoupin County history. On the grounds is a blacksmith shop, an old schoolhouse, a country store and a newly constructed print shop. Recently a large display building was constructed to house the vehicles and farm machinery collected by the Macoupin Agricultural Antique Association. There are three major events each year: the Spring Festival, May 29 and 30, 2010, the Arts and Crafts Fall Festival, Sept. 18, 19 and the Christmas Show, Dec. 3, 4 and 5.
The Anderson Mansion is located at 920 W. Breckenridge St. in Carlinville. Open 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Wed. Group tours by appointment. Admission: $3 adults, $1 children. 217-854- 2850. Go to www.macsociety.org.
