Hodgenville and Lincoln's Birthplace

Kentucky is proud to say they are the birth home of Abraham Lincoln.  We are camping not far from his birthplace and his boyhood home, very dense woods, lush greenery.  Our drive was short, only 10 miles or so, and we came to the Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park. We listened to the video and then walked the grounds.  There is a large granite building that houses a replica of his family's home. As you walk up the steps - 56 that represents the age of Lincoln - I felt I was looking at a building that belonged in Washington DC.  Pretty impressive outside.  Once inside I was disappointed that the replica was not lit and it was not furnished in period furniture and utensils that they may have used (fireplace tools, bed, benches, etc.) Instead the replica had nothing in it. 

56 steps to symbolize Lincoln's age

Replica of Lincoln's birth home 

Interpretive sign for Sinking Springs

We walked the trail around the site and saw Sinking Springs, the naturally flowing spring that the Lincolns' used for every day living.  The Lincolns only lived here two years and moved to Knob Hill, about 10 miles to the northeast.  Knob Hill was Abraham's first recollections of boyhood memories.  There are no longer any structures at Knob Hill but you have to imagine a working farm from over 200 years ago.

Knob Hill farm - Lincoln's earliest memories are from

How they lived

We did not learn anything new, but it was good to put the location together with the rest of his history - his time in Springfield, Illinois.  We did marvel at how did they lived and survived back in the early 1800's - one interpretive sign said that the farm, Knob Hill was not large enough to support the Lincoln family.  Nancy, Abraham's mother, was known as an excellent spinner (maker of yarn) and seamstress and Thomas Lincoln, his father was a carpenter.  So I am assuming that the parents probably supplemented their food needs with this additional income.  Still, knowing how rugged the country is - Abraham and his sister Sarah - had to walk 2 miles to school.  The trail at Knob Hill that the two children used to go to school is rated strenuous.  Not something I wanted to do yesterday.

The rest of the day was spent doing some upgrades to the RV.  Rain is forecast for the next 7 days so we will see what else we can see for inside sites.