Abraham Lincoln's Tomb (2003)

Some people believe that Abraham Lincoln is buried at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC. Not so! Here is part of a home video I shot while visiting my kids in Illinois.
Lincoln's Tomb is in Oak Ridge Cemetery, Springfield, Illinois, and is the final resting place of 16th President of the United States Abraham Lincoln, his wife Mary Todd Lincoln, and three of their four sons. The monument is owned and administered by the State of Illinois as Lincoln Tomb State Historic Site.
On April 15, 1865, the day President Lincoln died, a group of Springfield citizens formed the National Lincoln Monument Association and spearheaded a drive for funds to construct a memorial or tomb. At the request of Robert Todd Lincoln, the President's only surviving son, the body was moved to its final resting place, a cement vault 10 feet below the surface of the burial room. In 1930-1931 the State reconstructed the interior of the memorial. Rededicated in the latter year by President Hoover, it has undergone little change since that time.
The tomb is in the center of a 12 1/2 acre plot. Constructed of Massachusetts granite, it has a rectangular base surmounted by a 117-foot-high obelisk and a semicircular entrance way. A bronze reproduction of sculptor Gutzon Borglum's head of Lincoln in the U.S. Capitol rests on a pedestal in front of the entrance way. The burial room features black and white marble walls and a ceiling of gold leaf. At its center stands the cenotaph, a 7-ton block of reddish marble inscribed with Lincoln's name and the years he lived. It marks the approximate location of the burial vault. Nine flags are arranged in a semicircle around the cenotaph. Seven of them—the State flags of Massachusetts, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Kentucky, Indiana, and Illinois—commemorate the homes of Lincoln and his ancestors. The eighth and ninth are the Stars and Stripes and the Presidential flag. The inscription "Now he belongs to the ages," reputedly spoken by Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton at the time of Lincoln's death, is inscribed in the wall above the U.S. Flag.
Taped: June 18, 2003

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• Kerry
• Decker
• Abraham
• Lincoln
• tomb
• Springfield
• IL
• Illinois
• 1865
• 2003
• landmark
• historic

[rj1982ii]

Too bad don't mention why the tomb is the way it is I'm saying securing of the body: someone tried stealing the body November 7, 1876. Came close to happening if one of the people wasn't an informant for the Secret Service.

[KKD1247]

You are quite right. I recently saw a great documentary on the History Channel called "Stealing Lincoln's Body". He was moved around 10 times before his final resting place! All to keep one step ahead of grave robbers. Great story. I wish I'd seen it before I visited there.

[HairlessAbe]

What's... with the ominous music? It's not spooky there, I found it quite peaceful. Nevertheless, it's cool that you videoed such an extensive tour of the tomb.

[KKD1247]

The music is from one of those 99c Halloween CDs. Originally, the thought of being inside a tomb where bodies have been buried a hundred years was kind of creepy. But you're right. Its quite peaceful in there, well-maintained & not creepy at all.

[veet48]

Could do with out the dumb spooky music

[brekdown59]

i just saw this tomb a few weeks ago, it was awesome to see, please remove the music

[Kevinsouth]

AL is not buried below ground in the tomb and not where visitors assume. There are detailed histories on where he was moved in 1900.

[SierraSkyz]

The bust of Lincoln on that pedestal is popular with people wanting to rub his nose for luck. In the 1970's, officials worried that the bronze would wear through, and they placed a 2 foot tall extension to raise the bronze up. Several years later, due to popular demand, they lowered it agian.

You used to be able to walk up the obelisk section, but that stopped back in the 50's, I believe.

[AgentFi]

His nose looks gold..?

[nicefella3]

great video...thank you 

[jensmom604]

@KKD1247 I loved the spooky music! It was very fitting, because the Lincoln family was marred by tragedy. Only one of their four sons lived to adulthood; two died before their father was assassinated. Thomas "Tad" Lincoln died in 1871 at the age of 18. His death completely unhinged Mary Lincoln; a few years later she was declared insane and placed in a mental hospital. She was later released, but never became reconciled with her son Robert and his wife.

[jensmom604]

"In 1901 his coffin was moved again. It was also reopened. According to witnesses, one of whom didn't die until 1963, Lincoln was perfectly preserved. Finally, on Sept. 26, 1901, workers sealed Abraham Lincoln's coffin in a steel cage and 10 feet of concrete. No one has moved it since." From the book "Stealing Lincoln's Body" by Thomas Craughwell. His only surviving son, Robert Todd Lincoln, was present at the opening of the coffin.

[JeffTheFutureJaros]

Check my Musical Video Tour at my channel, Peace.

-THE FUTURE

[whitetails4life1]

i just went their today!!!