The Plaza

The Plaza is the center of the Museum, a spectacular setting for special events and after-hours functions.

Here stand figures portraying the Lincoln family in 1861. Use your own camera and take a picture of your family standing with them.

Standing in the Plaza, what you can see around you are these features:

From where you are now standing in the Plaza, here is what you can see around you:

To your left stands a tall, cathedral-like forest cradling the cabin that represents Lincoln's early years. (Some of these incredibly realistic artificial trees are over 40 feet tall!) Near the edge of the forest is a figure of a 9-year-old Lincoln, sitting on a stump with a book. Behind him, the entrance to the cabin stands open, inviting you into Journey One – The Pre-Presidential Years.

From where you still stand in the center of the Plaza, directly ahead is a large portrait of Abraham Lincoln inviting you to enter The Union Theater.

To your right looms the south portico of the White House, its majestic columns rising high overhead. To one side you can see figures of generals McClellan and Grant and to the other are Frederick Douglass and Sojourner Truth. The figure of John Wilkes Booth stands off to one side, intently watching Lincoln's back. The open door of the White House invites you into Lincoln's White House during the Civil War. This is the starting point for Journey Two – The White House Years.

Further to the right you can see down a hallway to The Treasures Gallery.

Continuing to glance around the Plaza, you can also see the entrance to both the Ghosts of the Library Holavision Theater® and The Illinois Gallery.

Down the corridor to your left is access to Mrs. Lincoln's Attic (the Kids' Area) and the SUBWAY®.

Back behind you, down the corridor through which you entered, is the Museum Store.