Six Local Sites That Make History Come Alive

Posted on July 14, 2016

Imagine walking in the footsteps of one of America’s greatest presidents, Abraham Lincoln. Picture yourself visiting Santa Claus Land on its opening day in 1946, long before it became known as Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari. As you flip through pages and pages of letters to Santa, put yourself in the shoes of children from all over the world, some dating as far back as the 1930s. That’s the magic of experiencing historical sites. It's these landmarks, sites, and remnants that make history come alive. They help children wrap their heads around challenging concepts and put things into perspective for them. Most kids are probably already familiar with Santa and Abe, but they’ll be mesmerized as they read letters to Santa written decades before they were born. Their eyes will widen in amazement as they walk through one-room cabin replicas similar to what Abe grew up in, and then learn about how he worked hard and grew up to be such an important, well-respected figure. You’ll love going back in time when visiting the town of Santa Claus and sites throughout Lincoln’s Indiana Boyhood Home. We’ve compiled a list of six of our local, historical sites and landmarks that you don’t want to miss:

1. The Lincoln Pioneer Village & Museum is home to hundreds of fascinating artifacts from the area’s historic past—including fashion pieces, Civil War remnants, and woodwork completed by Thomas Lincoln, Abraham’s father. Here you can also walk through fourteen replica Lincoln-era cabins such as a schoolhouse, church, and the Lincoln Homestead Cabin.
2. At the Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial, you can tour through the Visitor Center’s museum exhibits, and then enjoy a peaceful walk up the wooded Lincoln Boyhood Trail to the gravesite of Abraham Lincoln’s mother, Nancy Hanks Lincoln. Then the Living Historical Farm where you will find fun, knowledgeable reenactors, demonstrations, farm animals, and field crops.
3. Nestled along the mighty Ohio River, take in a beautiful view and relax at Lincoln Ferry Park. This is where Lincoln operated his ferryboat business on the river from Kentucky to Indiana.
4. Visit Colonel Jones Home, a carefully restored 1834 Federal-design home of Abraham Lincoln’s merchant employer. This site offers a look at the early development of Indiana and the life of Colonel William Jones.
5. At the Santa Claus Museum & Village, explore a collection of original town buildings dating back to 1856. Write a letter to Santa from the town’s first post office and feel the ageless beauty as you walk into the completely original, 1880 Santa Claus Church. Visit the fully restored 1935 Santa Statue, towering 22 feet tall and “dedicated to the children of the world.”  Inside the museum you’ll relish in old documents, photos, and artifacts tracing the interesting history of the town.
6. Stroll through the gorgeous grounds of the Saint Meinrad Archabbey, a peaceful and spiritual site where you have the opportunity for prayer with the Benedictine monks. Founded in 1854, the Saint Meinrad Archabbey is one of only two archabbeys left in the United States and one of 11 in the world.

For a complete list of sites and landmarks, click here.