Abe Lincoln visited the Elijah Iles House, Springfield’s oldest home, when it was in its original location at Sixth and Cook streets. - Photo by Dave Janes

cial reformer. Lindsay was supposed to follow in his father’s footsteps, and after high school he attended Hiram College in Ohio, to study medicine, but he eventually dropped out to attend art schools in Chicago and New York City. In the early 20th century, Lindsay set out on a series of tramps across America. At the conclusion of one of these trips, his poem “General William Booth Enters into Heaven,” a eulogy to the founder of the Salvation Army, was published in Chicago’s Poetry magazine. The poem brought him national attention, and subsequent works garnered international acclaim. Some of his bestknown poems include “The Congo” and “Abraham Lincoln Walks at Midnight.”

Lindsay’s family home, now a state historic site, has been restored to depict life in 1917, when Lindsay’s parents still played an active role in community life. Examples of Lindsay’s poetry and art, not a part of the house at that time, have been added to showcase the poet. Vachel Lindsay Home State Historic Site, 603 S. Fifth St., 217-524-0901. Open Sat. 9

a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free, but donations are accepted.

“Lincoln’s church”

Between 1890 and 1922, seven memorial windows by the world-famous glassmaker and artist were installed at First Presbyterian, the Springfield church where Abraham Lincoln sometimes worshipped. Until air conditioning proliferated beyond movie houses and taverns, their bottom portions swung open to permit better air circulation during sweltering summer Sunday services.

Sealed and protected against the elements since the mid-’60s, they are historical testament to a unique art form, symphonies of sunlight for citizens and tourists trekking between the nearby Lincoln Home Visitor Center and the Old State Capitol.

First Presbyterian Church, 321 S. Seventh. Docent-guided tours are available 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Mon.-Fri., June-September. All other times, group tours may be arrange by calling 217-528-4311. For more information, go to lincolnschurch.org/tours.htm