Fun Fact Friday: Midwest Presidents’ Day Destinations

February 17, 2012 9:31 am CT

Next Monday is Presidents’ Day, an observation of Abraham Lincoln and George Washington’s birthdays, which are only 10 days apart. Many of us will enjoy a long weekend without knowing the historic landmarks in our own “Land of Lincoln.”

Did you know there are several historical sites in the Midwest with ties to President Lincoln? Check out these three sites during your long Presidents’ Day weekend:

• Lincoln- Douglas debate site in Freeport, Ill. – In 1858, before Lincoln ran for president, he first competed for a U.S. Senate seat against Stephen Douglas. Prior to the election, the two candidates engaged in seven debates across Illinois. Marked by a special monument, you can visit the site where one of these famous debates took place.

• Lincoln’s childhood home – Honest Abe’s home is still standing near Gentryville, Indiana and continues to be a destination for Midwest tourists. Lincoln spent 14 formative years here and was introduced to the concepts of freedom and justice.

• Lincoln’s personal estate – In May 1844, the Lincolns purchased their home for $1,500 in Springfield, Ill. To this day, the restored house reflects the look and feel of the Lincoln home from 1860.

How do you plan to spend Presidents’ Day weekend? Have you seen any of these historic presidential Midwest attractions? Tell us in the comments below!