The Illinois Historic Preservation Agency will mark the anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s funeral with a march to the Lincoln Tomb State Historic Site, accompanied by a replica of the hearse that carried Lincoln to his grave.
The commemorative march begins at the Old State Capitol State Historic Site at 6:15 p.m. on Wednesday, May 4, the 151st anniversary of Lincoln’s funeral. The route will take participants past the Lincoln Home National Historic Site and then to the tomb at Oak Ridge Cemetery.
“Abraham Lincoln’s funeral was a sad and historic event for the nation and for his adopted home town. It’s only right that we take time on the anniversary to honor President Lincoln and reflect on his accomplishments,” said Heidi Brown-McCreery, director of the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency. “I’m pleased we could work with the city of Springfield to make this march possible.”
The march, sponsored by the Old State Capitol Foundation, is open to people who register in advance and wear period clothing. To register, contact Troy Gilmore at 217-785-7960. The deadline is April 29.
Once the march reaches Oak Ridge Cemetery’s historic Third Street gate, anyone can join the final stage, which ends at the receiving vault where Lincoln’s body was held until the tomb could be built. The march should reach the cemetery at 7:30 and the vault about 10 minutes later, where a brief program will take place.
A replica of the original Lincoln hearse will lead the march. It was commissioned by Springfield’s Staab family to help commemorate last year’s 150th anniversary of Lincoln’s funeral. The original hearse was destroyed by fire.
The hearse will be on display outside the Old State Capitol throughout the day.
The site will also present the documentary “Now He Belongs to the Ages: The Lincoln Tomb” at noon, 2 and 4. Visitors will be able to meet a Civil War soldier at 1 p.m. and learn about Civil War surgery at 3 p.m.
Lincoln died April 15, 1865. His body was then taken home by train, stopping often along the way for services in major cities. The train arrived in Springfield on May 3, and Lincoln lay in state in the Old State Capitol until the next morning.
On May 4, he was taken to a receiving vault at the foot of the hill where his tomb would later be built. The body of Lincoln and three of his sons were moved into the tomb in 1871, although construction continued until 1874.
The Old State Capitol and the Lincoln Tomb are operated by the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency (www.IllinoisHistory.gov). IHPA protects the state’s historic resources, which contribute to education, culture and the economy. IHPA sites include ancient burial mounds, forts and buildings erected by settlers, and homes connected to famous Illinoisans.
Logistical information
Weather permitting, the hearse will be on display outside the Old State Capitol throughout the day, beginning at 10 a.m.
Washington Street will be closed to traffic between 5th and 6th all day on May 4 so the hearse can be displayed.
Roads will NOT be closed for the march itself, but police will temporarily shut down lanes and intersections as the hearse and marchers pass by.
No Parking” signs placed along the procession route will be enforced that day.
The march’s route will be:
- Washington to 7th Street
- 7th Street to Edwards Street
- Edwards Street to 8th Street
- 8th Street to Capitol Avenue
- Capitol Avenue to 4th Street
- 4th Street to North Grand Avenue
- North Grand Avenue to 3rd Street
- 3rd Street to Cemetery Entrance across from Lincoln Park
Anyone wishing to park near the receiving vault at Oak Ridge Cemetery should use the Lincoln Tomb parking lot.
