Honest Abe’s Shoes

Honest Abe’s Shoes

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The current Lincoln Treasures exhibition at the Chicago History Museum features Honest Abe’s personal objects, like the desk he used while studying law, a watch and chain, and the bed in which he died. There’s also a pair of brown buckskin moccasins. It’s believed they were a gift from family members just before he took office in 1861.

A few years ago, we visited the Chicago History Museum, where Curator Peter Alter told us a little bit about these distinctive shoes. Admission is free today, and the Lincoln Treasures exhibition runs through August 16. For the month of April, the museum will display a copy of the Gettysburg Address handwritten by President Lincoln.