The Illinois State Museum has received a donation of items from President Abraham Lincoln’s extended Springfield family. These historical artifacts reveal the familial and social ties of Lincoln’s era. Highlights include daguerreotypes and personal belongings from the Hickox-Edwards families, linked to Lincoln through marriage. This remarkable collection offers a glimpse into Lincoln’s familial and social connections. Among the items donated are rare daguerreotypes and personal belongings from the prominent Hickox-Edwards families, who were related to Lincoln through marriage. These artifacts promise to shed light on the personal dimensions of Lincoln’s life, providing a deeper understanding of the era he lived in. Curators believe this donation will significantly enhance the museum’s portrayal of Lincoln’s enduring legacy.
“These items tell the story of people who helped shape Illinois history,” said ISM Director Jenn Edginton. “The Illinois State Museum is thrilled to receive such an amazing donation. We cannot wait to share it with the people of Illinois.”
These items include daguerreotypes and personal belongings that paint a vivid picture of Lincoln’s social connections and familial heritage. Among the treasures are a rare daguerreotype of Lincoln’s niece, Lizzie Edwards, dating from the late 1850s, and an image of Ninian Edwards with his son Charles from 1850. Also included is Elizabeth Todd Edwards’ personal Episcopal Book of Common Prayer. This donation offers a unique glimpse into the personal life surrounding one of America’s most storied presidents.
“As a Lincoln enthusiast, this donation is incredibly exciting to me. The people in these photographs and who owned these items were Lincoln’s nieces, nephews and in-laws,” said Erika Holst, curator of history for the ISM. “They were a part of the emotional fabric of his life, as he was in theirs. It’s amazing to be able to look at pictures of the same faces that Lincoln saw on a daily basis.”
