Museum to mark anniversary of Lincoln buying Illinois home

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield plans a celebration to mark the 175th anniversary of Lincoln’s purchase of his home.

The library plans free admission for its first 175 visitors May 2 and a special display of artifacts, including an original key to the home on Eighth Street. Lincoln paid $1.500 for the home when he was a young lawyer with a wife and infant son. It was the site of the birth of three of Lincoln’s sons and the funeral for one of them.

The home now is a national historic site and part of the National Park Service. It’s located about a half-mile (four-fifths of a kilometre) from the museum in Springfield.

Museum officials say the 175 free admissions can be reserved in advance online .