What do these building names like Dean, Arnold, Lyon refer to?
The buildings in the neighborhood are generally named for the family living in the house/using the outbuildings in 1860. There is a neighborhood map provided here that shows where they are currently located. Some buildings, which are no longer standing, are located by their block and lot location. A map of the block and lot numbers is located here.
How are the staff referenced in the photos?
The staff are identified by First Name Last Name or by the division they worked in based on the activity in the photo. The six main staff divisions are:
- Administration
- Curatorial/Historian
- General Operations
- Interpretation
- Maintenance
- Volunteers
How were the seasons determined in the dates?
If the specific date was unknown, an approximate date based on either the event or the exterior appearance was selected. When a seasonal designation was used, it was generally thought to cover the following months:
- Winter: December, January, February
- Spring: March, April, May
- Summer: June, July, August
- Autumn: September, October, November (Autumn, not “Fall” was used)
Is there a list that identifies the people in the photographs? For example, who is Coretta Scott King and why is she considered a VIP?
A “register” of the people in the photos is in the process of being created. It will include staff titles and time of service (if known), and brief descriptions of non-staff visitors. For example, Coretta Scott King was a Civil Rights activist and the wife/widow of Martin Luther King, Jr. a famous Civil Rights activist in the 1950s and 1960s.
Where can I learn more about the history of the Lincoln Home before it became a part of the National Park Service?
The Lincoln Home was built in 1839 and the Lincolns moved into it in 1844, living there until 1861. The State of Illinois received ownership from the Lincolns’ oldest son, Robert, in 1887 and ran it as a museum until 1972 when the National Park Service took over. For more details, visit this website: The Lincoln Home – Lincoln Home National Historic Site (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)
Where are the pictures of Abraham Lincoln?
Lincoln images are owned by several museums and libraries, as well as private individuals. The Library of Congress (www.loc.gov) has many images that are copyright-free for use in publications.
Do you include digitized versions of reports and planning documents?
The database is limited to photographs and a few videos due to the large number of photos available. If you are looking for a specific document, use the “Contact Us” link to request a scan of the document. Not all documents can be scanned for public use due to security limitations, but the staff will check to see if any part of the document can be made available.