Lincoln’s Rocking Chair

Not only does our Lincoln exhibit feature furniture and decorations from Lincoln’s business car, but newly displayed is this beautiful caned rocking chair from much earlier in Abraham Lincoln’s life. The chair is originally from the law office of Lincoln and Herndon in Springfield, Ill., where Lincoln practiced law from 1843 to about 1852. One young law student remembered the furniture in the office as dilapidated or shabby. Lincoln it seemed, preferred strength and durability to appearance or fashion.

For the last two years our chair has been on a whirlwind North American Tour traveling with the Library of Congresses’ Exhibit “With Malice Toward None.” The exhibit celebrated the bicentennial of our 16th President’s birth with letters, books, pictures and artifacts. Now the chair is back with us and for the first time, on display at its home museum.