by Casey Sheehan
Last Thursday we went to some Illinois State Historic Sites. We went to the Old State Capitol, the Illinois State Capitol, and Lincoln’s Home. We went inside all of these places and we learned very much. Inside of these buildings we saw many interesting things, and I saw many sites that I have never seen before. I was a very fun and cool trip.
As we walked into the Old State Capitol the first thing that I saw was a beautiful light fixture and a huge staircase. First, we went into the library. The library had many tables and a few bookshelves that were covered by glass doors. There was probably about thirty or so books and these books were used way back when Lincoln was president. We also saw the table that Lincoln’s casket was laid on when his wake, or funeral, was in the Capitol. Then, was saw the Secretary of State’s office. Next, we went into the Supreme Court room, and then we went upstairs. Upstairs we saw the Senators’ and Representatives’ chambers of where they would make laws. Finally we went into a room where government officials would rest, or just lounge around. This room was the only room that they had an exact picture of how the room was set up. In that room there was a wooden chain that was given to Lincoln, and this chain represented the country. If one link, or state, was broken it would effect the whole chain, or country. Then we left and headed for the Illinois State Capitol.
After we arrived at the Capitol, we were divided up into two groups. Miss Healey took one group, and Mrs. Wear took the other. The first thing that my group did was we went up to the top floor and looked at the Capitol’s dome. It had lots of artwork on it, and at the top there was a stained glass picture of the Illinois State Seal. At the base of the dome were ten-foot statues of various leaders who were important to our state. The we went into the Senate’s Chambers. We saw how it was set up, and we saw the beautiful ceiling that they had. It was a very beautiful ceiling, and it was all hand-painted, but there was something very interesting about that ceiling, on that ceiling was a wheel, and every axle on the wheel represented one letter in the name Illinois. Then we went into the Representatives’ Chambers, and it was pretty much the same, only the ceiling was a little bit different, and then we went into the Judicial Branch area. Finally, just before we left, we took a picture with Rep. Poe.
Finally, after lunch, we arrived at Lincoln’s Home. We took a tour of Lincoln’s house and we saw how he lived. The tour guide told us what each room was for and what Lincoln would do in it. Like in the living room, Lincoln would play with his kids, or read a book to them. Then, we went upstairs, and we saw where he slept. We also saw how his room was setup. The bed that was there wasn’t his real bed, but it was close to what it may have looked like. Then we went outside. One park ranger told us the Lincoln’s dog, Fido, was buried by Cook and Second Street. Then the field trip was over, and it was a very fun and interesting trip.
Our field trip to Historic Sites in Springfield was very fun, but it was also very interesting. We learned many things about Lincoln and how our government works. Most of us for the first time saw things that we have never seen before, and the trip was very fun.
