Abraham Lincoln slept here.
Not in Washington, D.C. Not in Springfield, Illinois. Right here in Janesville, Wisconsin.
In October 1859, a little more than a year before he was elected president, Abraham Lincoln visited Janesville and stayed at the home of William Morrison Tallman. Today, that home is the Lincoln-Tallman House, one of Janesville's most fascinating historic landmarks.
And the story of how Lincoln ended up here is pretty good.
A house worth talking about
Before Lincoln ever came knocking, the Tallman House was already something special.
Built between 1855 and 1857, the Italianate-style mansion was home to William Morrison Tallman, a successful lawyer and outspoken abolitionist, and his family.
The house had amenities that were practically luxurious for the time, including central heating and indoor plumbing. It was a pretty impressive place to call home in 1850s Wisconsin.
Tallman was also deeply involved in the movement to end slavery. He had been active in abolitionist efforts before moving to Janesville, giving him something important in common with the future president.
The night Lincoln came to town
In the fall of 1859, Lincoln was traveling and giving speeches. He wasn't president yet. That came the next year.
Tallman went down to Beloit to hear him speak. Then he convinced Lincoln to come up to Janesville, give a speech here, and stay at his house.
Lincoln said yes.
He rode to Janesville in Tallman's carriage, spoke on October 1, 1859, and spent the weekend with the family before heading to Chicago.
He slept in a second-floor guest room. And here's a fun little detail.
Back then, guests often left their boots outside the bedroom door at night to be cleaned. Lincoln did just that. But when morning came, his boots were nowhere to be found.
According to historical accounts, the missing boots caused him to miss his train. Instead, he attended church with the Tallman family and stayed another night.
(Don't worry. He eventually made it to Chicago.)
Saved for all of us
The Tallman family lived in the house until 1915. After that, it sat empty for decades.
Eventually, the home was donated to the City of Janesville, and the Rock County Historical Society helped bring it back to life. In 1951, the Lincoln-Tallman House opened as a museum.
Today, more than 75 percent of the furnishings are original to the home.
That means you're not just walking through a recreation of Victorian life. You're seeing rooms and belongings that were actually part of the Tallman family's everyday world.
And yes, you can see the guest room where Abraham Lincoln stayed.
Go see it
The Lincoln-Tallman House Museum is located at 440 N. Jackson Street in Janesville, Wisconsin.
Operated by the Rock County Historical Society, the museum offers guided tours that explore the house, the Tallman family, and what life looked like in 19th-century Janesville.
Our favorite time to visit? The holiday season, when the house fills up with more than 140 decorated trees.
Check the Rock County Historical Society for current tour schedules, tickets, and special events.
And the next time you're looking for something different to do in Janesville, remember that you can walk through the very same halls as Abraham Lincoln.
Not bad for a Tuesday afternoon.
Sources: Rock County Historical Society, National Register of Historic Places nomination, Travel Wisconsin, The Clio, Iron Brigader.
Step Inside the Lincoln-Tallman House
Walk through the rooms where Abraham Lincoln stayed in 1859 and discover one of Janesville's most remarkable historic landmarks. Check tour availability, admission details, and upcoming events before you go.
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