The only remaining intact Lincoln-Douglas debate site is in Galesburg at Knox College; there are bronze plaques on either side of the doorway where the stage for the debate was set up. I had the privilege of hanging out there while an artist-in-residence through Studios Midwest. The Chicago Tribune published an article on Lincoln`s law circuit a while back; there are bronze posts marking the route through central Illinois.
GE

Glad to see you enjoyed “Lincolntown.” I use the library quite often, as it houses the old State Historical society as well. Lots of ACW manuscripts to dig through.:)

A visit to the Lincoln home is a must, I think. The new Museum (which stirred quite a bit of controversey when it opened, for all the interactive stuff, but has since become more accepted) is great, but the home and law office give you a good counter-point to all the flash in the Museum.

New Salem is fun, but not critical to the experience.

In the past couple of years, I have started to hit other Lincoln sites – the birthplace, in KY, some of the Lincoln-Douglas debate sites, which are in various towns around the state and usually have a park with interpretation, etc. There is a homesite in Indiana that I want to see, though I understand it is not very elaborate.

New Salem is entirely a recreation, but I always enjoyed it nonetheless, probably because I enjoy that part of the Lincoln story so much. I particularly remember a camping trip there back in the eighties. Searching for firewood I ran across huge Nazi flag on a stage. “Good gravy,” I thought, “Neo-Nazis in the woods!” I was much relived to discover that it was only a prop for the evening play.

That lady ,Louise Taper, is chronicled in a chapter in the book ‘Land of Lincoln’. She has and an absolutely incredible collection of Lincoln artifacts. I really can’t believe that the Lincoln museum does not use more of them that they got from her. People want to see the actual items associated with Lincoln not a laser light show or reproductions. That hat is incredible as you can still see the mark left by Lincoln when he tipped it to passerby. That is what history is about.

Chris

The hat is still there and still on display. But it’s one of only a handful of items.

Eric

I really enjoyed White’s book – I thought it was just about the best Lincoln book I’ve ever read. “Lincoln at Peoria” by Lewis Lehrman might beat it out, but I seemed to like both better than any others, including David Donald’s biography of him. (Of course, I read that so long ago, it’s not fair to compare them, I suppose.)