New Salem facts for kids

New Salem is a name given to many different places, mostly small towns or villages, especially in the United States. The most famous place called New Salem is a special village in Illinois, USA, known for its connection to a very important American president, Abraham Lincoln.

Lincoln's New Salem: A Historic Village

Lincoln's New Salem is a unique place in Menard County, Illinois. It's not a modern town, but a carefully rebuilt version of a frontier village from the 1830s. This village is famous because Abraham Lincoln, who later became the 16th President of the United States, lived and worked there for several years.

What Was New Salem Like?

New Salem was a small, busy village on the Sangamon River. It was founded in 1829 and grew quickly. People came there to trade goods, grind grain at the mill, and live a simple life on the frontier. The village had stores, a mill, a blacksmith shop, and homes, all built from logs. It was a typical American frontier settlement of its time.

Abraham Lincoln's Time in New Salem

Abraham Lincoln moved to New Salem in 1831 when he was 22 years old. He lived there for about six years, until 1837. During his time in New Salem, Lincoln worked many different jobs. He was a clerk in a store, a postmaster (someone who runs the post office), and even a surveyor (someone who measures land). He also served in the Illinois Militia during the Black Hawk War in 1832.

How New Salem Shaped Lincoln

Living in New Salem was a very important time for Lincoln. It was here that he started to study law on his own, reading books by candlelight. He also began his political career in New Salem, running for the Illinois General Assembly (the state's law-making body) for the first time in 1832. Even though he lost that first election, he won in 1834 and served four terms. His experiences in New Salem helped him learn about people, business, and politics, which prepared him for his future as a leader.

New Salem Today: A Living Museum

The original village of New Salem eventually faded away, and by the 1840s, most people had moved to other towns. However, because of its connection to Abraham Lincoln, people wanted to remember and preserve its history. Today, Lincoln's New Salem State Historic Site is a popular place to visit. It's like stepping back in time!

The site has 23 log buildings that are exact copies of the original ones. Visitors can see the stores where Lincoln worked, the Rutledge Tavern, and other homes and shops. People dressed in clothes from the 1830s often work at the site, showing how people lived and worked back then. It's a great way to learn about American history and the early life of one of its most famous presidents.

Other Places Named New Salem

The name "New Salem" is quite common, especially in the United States, but also in Canada. It often means a "new peaceful place" or a "new settlement." Many towns and villages were given this name as people moved and started new communities.

Here are a few examples of other places named New Salem:

• New Salem, Nova Scotia in Canada.
• New Salem, Massachusetts in the United States.
• New Salem, North Dakota in the United States.
• New Salem, Pennsylvania in the United States.