Abraham Lincoln’s birthday has come and gone, but residents of Coles County have the chance to pay tribute to the former president every day of the year.

Places like the Lincoln-Douglas Debate Museum and the Lincoln Log Cabin Historical Site exist to inform residents of the area’s historic ties to Lincoln as well as educate them on his family’s roots in Coles County.

“I can’t think of a better way to attract tourists,” said Jeanette Clark, tourism director for the city of Charleston. “Charleston is actually known as one of the top 10 Lincoln-related sites in the state of Illinois.”

The Lincoln-Douglas Debate Museum’s primary mission is to commemorate the slavery debate that took place between Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas on Sept. 18, 1858, as part of the Illinois Senate race.

Located “200 steps” east of the original debate site, the museum has numerous displays that dictate the background and story of the contest. Also featured are an orientation film as well as historic artifacts and fragments from the Lincoln family’s Springfield home.

“I thought it was interesting,” said Martin Hardeman, a history professor at Eastern. “It could have a lot more if it had more funding.”

The museum is also among the top 10 Lincoln-related historic sites in Illinois, which places it alongside Springfield’s Lincoln museum and New Salem Park, where Lincoln lived and worked as a young man.

Eight miles south of the museum, the town of Lerna hosts the Lincoln Log Cabin Historical Site.

Maintained by the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency, the site allows guests to walk through a replica of the home owned by Thomas and Sarah Bush Lincoln, as well as homes owned by their neighbors, Stephen Sargent and Reuben Moore.

Like the Lincoln-Douglas museum, the site presents visitors with various informative displays and a movie profiling the Lincoln family and their way of life.

Having been a part of the community since 1936, the Lincoln Log Cabin brings back fond memories for many Charleston residents.

Mayor John Inyart took field trips to the site as a young man.

“I always enjoyed these trips, and now as an adult I can truly appreciate what folks went through living in those times,” Inyart said. “Personally, I have grown to respect and understand Lincoln much more as an adult and now as mayor feel a sense of pride knowing he and his family have ties to our area.”

Inyart also said plans are in the works to link Charleston with other Lincoln-related spots in central Illinois to allow people to take a journey in his shoes and see the various spots that helped shape Lincoln’s life.

“It allows Charleston to connect easily with other Lincoln sites, to work together as far as marketing and advertising are concerned, and to provide a comprehensive Lincoln visiting experience,” Clark said.

Les Anderson, a senior art education major and Lincoln enthusiast, has never visited the Lincoln Log Cabin or the Lincoln-Douglas Museum, but had praise for the for the historic sites in Springfield.

“It’s pretty neat, you get to see a little more of what life was like back then,” Anderson said. “Just looking at his bed, you can see how tall he was.”

While nothing is in stone yet, Clark, along with Matthew Middlestaedt, site manager for the Lincoln Log Cabin, are also planning to place a number of kiosks around Coles County, pinpointing specific spots in the area that made an impact on Lincoln’s life.

Eastern’s history professors and majors share a profound respect for Lincoln and the things he accomplished.

Hardeman referred to Lincoln as the second most important American president, next to George Washington.

“His presidency created the foundation for modern America in many respects,” he said.

Meredyth Lovell, a senior biology major, said she believes the Lincoln Log Cabin specifically deserves more attention.

“It’s really interesting, but it needs more public exposure to it,” Lovell said.