Vandalia State House

The Vandalia State House is the fourth capitol building of Illinois and the oldest surviving state capitol in the state. Built in 1836 in Federal style, it served as the seat of government from 1836 to 1839, when the capital was moved to Springfield — a move that Abraham Lincoln actively lobbied for as a young state legislator.

The building has been carefully restored to its 1830s appearance and is now a state historic site with free admission. Rangers give short talks about the building's history and about Lincoln's years here. The main chamber, with its original furnishings and period portraits, is compact by the standards of later capitols but has a genuine sense of the early American republic. The site is open daily except major holidays.

things to do sight museum
A story
Abraham Lincoln served as a state legislator in this building during the 1830s — it was the only elective public office he held before being elected president. He was 23 when he first took his seat here, and the sessions he attended gave him his first experience of political manoeuvring at the level that would eventually define his career.