Christmas Open House December 1 at Postville Courthouse to feature rocking chair used by Abraham Lincoln

LINCOLN - A rocking chair used by Abraham Lincoln will join period holiday decorations, music and sweets during the Christmas Open House scheduled for Saturday, December 1 from noon to 4 p.m. at Postville Courthouse State Historic Site in Lincoln. The event is free and open to the public.

Abraham Lincoln stayed with his friend, Illinois State Senator Maldon Jones, when Lincoln was riding the Eighth Judicial Circuit between Springfield and Charleston. Lincoln's favorite chair was a rocker that will be displayed at Postville Courthouse during the December 1 event. Jones' great-great-grandson Doug Mullikin and his wife will be present to visit with guests.

The courthouse will be decorated in the simple but beautiful style of the mid 1800s, and its Christmas tree will feature prairie dolls, wooden decorations and grape vines. Tour guides will explain the ornaments on the tree and how they were crafted in the 1840s. Period music by the Postville Express, featuring John Sutton, Manny Gaston and others, will fill the historic building. A Lincoln impersonator will greet visitors. Prairie pumpkin cake and fruit punch will also be served. The site will have 300 feet of decorations along the log fence again this year.

Postville Courthouse State Historic Site in Lincoln, Illinois is administered by the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency (www.Illinois-History.gov). It is a reproduction of the first Logan County Courthouse in use from 1840 to 1847, and Abraham Lincoln practiced law in the original wooden structure while riding the Eighth Judicial Circuit. Postville Courthouse is open Tuesday through Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. for free public tours, and other times by appointment. Call (217) 732-8930 or (217) 735-4977.