Abraham Lincoln family to Washington D.C.

. . . From a log cabin in Hodgenville, Kentucky to the bustling Washington D.C.
Abraham Lincoln and family would have the experience of living in Washington D.C. two different times. The first time was in 1847, when Abraham was elected from Illinois to serve in the House of Representatives. He was a very active political figure and did much writing, debating and speaking. He actually traveled around the country giving speeches for various topics and in support of fellow party members and platforms. As we know, he would end up in a different position at Washington.
Photo of log cabin, Lincoln was born in near Hodgenville, Ky.
Young Abraham was born in the wilderness and raised in with the sweat of
his brow, and the upbringing creating a very strong individual, as was needed during
the Civil War, when he was President

The Lincolns live in Springfield--

The only home they would ever purchase

Life there would be much simpler and common, than life in the bustling Washington D.C., their final home. Abraham could be seen walking to and from his law office downtown, and often would walking with his rowdy boys. This is where one son would die, and be buried. Mary had house-keepers (servants), but had a difficult time holding them.

The House Chambers of the late 1840's as the future President would learn
national politics, and gain a popular reputation nation-wide.

The U.S. capitol building in the late 1840's, wooden domes and all.
The present stone and glass domes were erected when Abraham would
return to Washington in 1861 and throughout the Civil War

The White House was not nearly as grand as it is in the 21st Century. Washington D.C. in 1861, had dirt streets, and unclean water supplies. There was no privacy, and very little security. The President would greet all people equally from his East Room Office. The family lived upstairs. The boys had a good time playing in the White House, and could ride their horses on the South Lawn. They had the free-run of the building.

Go to the Capitol in Lincoln's time for pictures and information.