vandalia statehouse state historic site

Looks best when viewed at night with the way it's lighted. Came out of the Copper Penny restaurant and read some of the historic plaques around the grounds very interesting. Not something I would drive a long way to see but if your in the area worth swinging by.

If you are into history and historic sites, this is right up your alley. Great family site -- educational.

There had been a wedding reception at the old Statehouse the evening before I visited. There were still some folding tables and chairs, candles, and remnants of centerpieces, so it lent a poignant feel to the site.The historic building is very elegant and graceful. It's so pleasant to stroll on the green grass, under the pretty trees. unfortunately , you cant enter the Statehouse building itself -- but you can look in the windows!Plaques around the grounds give the visitor a good idea of what was happening in frontier Illinois at the time, and how Lincoln's life and career events were intertwined with Illinois history. (Lincoln and his cronies to the state capital moved to Springfield).

If you have an interest in history, particularly that regarding either Illinois State history or Lincoln history, this is a must see. We visited on a dark, rainy day, which was a perfect day to experience a building that was actively occupied and worked in prior to electricity. As my wife, daughter, and I were the only visitors at the time, the site manager provided us with an excellent tour with loads of information. I would love to (and plan to) return on a better weather day in order to take photos of the beautiful exterior of this building. Please visit and support our state historic sites. This one is definitely worth your time.