Lincoln Tomb facts for kids
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Lincoln Tomb and War Memorials State Historic Site
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Abraham Lincoln's tomb at Oak Ridge Cemetery in July 2005.
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| Location | Oak Ridge Cemetery, Springfield, Illinois, U.S. |
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| Built | 1868-1874 |
| Architect | Larkin Goldsmith Mead |
| NRHP reference No. | 66000330 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | October 15, 1966 |
| Designated NHL | December 19, 1960 |
The Lincoln Tomb is the special place where Abraham Lincoln is buried. He was the 16th President of the United States. His wife, Mary Todd Lincoln, is also buried there. Three of their four sons, Edward, William, and Thomas, rest there too.
The tomb is found in Oak Ridge Cemetery in Springfield, Illinois. It is made of strong granite stone. The main part is a rectangular base. On top of it stands a tall, pointed stone pillar called an obelisk.
The tomb has an entrance area that is shaped like a half-circle. On the opposite side is the burial room, also shaped like a half-circle.
Exploring Lincoln's Tomb
Four sets of stairs with railings lead up to a flat area. These railings go all around the terrace. Near the center of this area are several statues. They are placed at the bottom of the tall obelisk. The obelisk itself reaches 117 feet (36 meters) into the sky.
Inside the Tomb
A bronze copy of a famous sculpture of Lincoln's head sits outside the entrance. This sculpture was made by Gutzon Borglum. Inside, on the ground floor, there is a round room called a rotunda. Hallways connect this rotunda to the burial room.
The inside of the tomb is decorated with beautiful marble. You can see several well-known statues of Lincoln here. The burial room also has a colorful stained glass window and flags. In the center of this room is a red marble monument. This monument is a cenotaph, which means it honors someone buried elsewhere. However, Lincoln and his family are actually buried beneath this spot.
History of the Tomb
After Abraham Lincoln passed away, his body was first placed in a nearby temporary tomb. Later, it was moved to this grand state tomb. The entire building is like a large, special house for the dead, called a mausoleum.
The State of Illinois owns and takes care of the Lincoln Tomb. It is known as the Lincoln Tomb State Historic Site. In 1960, it was named one of the very first National Historic Landmarks. This means it is a very important historical place in the United States. Later, in 1966, it was also added to the National Register of Historic Places.
Images for kids
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1865 drawing of Lincoln's burial
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The receiving vault (front) and the tomb (back)
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A bronze copy of the Daniel Chester French sculpture found in the Lincoln Memorial. This copy is inside Lincoln's Tomb.
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Statues of soldiers at the corners of the obelisk.
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The burial room, with its red marble memorial
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Mary Todd Lincoln's burial spot is next to her sons'
See also
In Spanish: Tumba de Lincoln para niños
