Skip to main content
Frank Lloyd Wright House and Studio - Oak Park

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

Images

More Information

  • Mon: 1:00pm – 5:00pm
  • Tue: 9:00am – 5:00pm
  • Wed: 9:00am – 5:00pm
  • Thu: 9:00am – 5:00pm
  • Fri: 9:00am – 5:00pm
  • Sat: 9:00pm – 7:00pm
  • Sun: 1:00pm – 5:00pm

Holiday Hours:
New Year’s Day Martin Luther King Jr. Day Presidents Day Labor Day Memorial Day
Independence Day

Free

How to find us?

Back to Listings

What's happening nearby...

Women's Pro Baseball League Inagural Season at Robin Roberts Stadium

Robin Roberts Stadium •  Aug 01 – Sep 22 @ 5PM

The WPBL plays their inaugural season at Robin Roberts Stadium in Springfield IL

Read more about Women's Pro Baseball League Inagural Season at Robin Roberts Stadium

Old Capitol Farmers' Market in Downtown Springfield

Downtown Springfield-Corner of 4th & Adams St •  May 13 – Oct 31 @ 8AM

Visit Springfield's longest-running and most popular Farmers Market in beautiful downtown Springfield.

Read more about Old Capitol Farmers' Market in Downtown Springfield

Route 66 Bob Waldmire Art Exhibit at The Pharmacy Gallery & Art Space

The Pharmacy Gallery & Art Space •  Jun 28 – Dec 19 @ 12noon

In celebration of the 100th Anniversary of Route 66, The Pharmacy will host a special Bob Waldmire Art Exhibit

Read more about Route 66 Bob Waldmire Art Exhibit at The Pharmacy Gallery & Art Space

You might also be interested...

Lincoln Depot

Springfield

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…

Read more about Lincoln Depot

Illinois State Military Museum

Springfield

Rare artifacts, including the artificial leg of Mexican General Santa Anna, preserve and showcase the diverse military history of Illinois from its earliest citizen soldiers to…

Read more about Illinois State Military Museum

Elijah Iles House: Springfield's History Museum

Springfield

Learn about early Springfield at the home of one of the city's founding fathers, Elijah Iles.

Read more about Elijah Iles House: Springfield's History Museum

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get inspired by top travel stories, gain access to exclusive promotions and contests, and discover even more reasons to #EnjoyIllinois.