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
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- 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...
Black History Nights the Old State Capitol
Old State Capitol • Feb 07 – Feb 28 @ 5PM
Join the Old State Capitol for Black History Nights on February 7th, 21st, & 28th.
Read more about Black History Nights the Old State Capitol
Springfield Jr Blues Hockey Season
The Nelson Center • Oct 31 – Apr 11 @ 6:30PM
Catch all the action of the 2025-2026 Springfield Jr Blues Hockey Season!
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Winter Old Capitol Farmers Market at Springfield Union Station
Union Station • Nov 22 – Apr 25 @ 8AM
Visit Springfield's longest-running and most popular Farmers Market in beautiful downtown Springfield.
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WWII Illinois Veterans Memorial
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This memorial honors the 987,000 men and women from the State of Illinois who served our country during World War II.
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Lincoln Depot
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Restored 1852 train depot, from which President-Elect Abraham Lincoln departed for Washington D.C. on February 11, 1861. Lincoln gave one of his most memorable speeches from…
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