Prairie State Wire

The Illinois State Museum has recently acquired a collection of items belonging to President Abraham Lincoln's extended family from Springfield. These items, passed down through five generations of the Hickox-Edwards families, were donated in memory of Catharine Officer Saxe Loucks. They shed light on the social and familial ties during Lincoln's time in Springfield.

“These items tell the story of people who helped shape Illinois history,” said ISM Director Jenn Edginton. “The Illinois State Museum is thrilled to receive such an amazing donation. We cannot wait to share it with the people of Illinois.”

The collection includes items from Virgil and Catharine Hickox and Ninian and Elizabeth Todd Edwards. After their marriage in 1868, the descendants of Charles and Mary Hickox Edwards preserved these family belongings. Elizabeth Todd Edwards was the eldest sister of Mary Todd Lincoln, and Ninian was an early friend and political supporter of Lincoln.

Among the artifacts are a rare daguerreotype of Lincoln's niece, Lizzie Edwards, from 1855-1860; another image of Ninian Edwards with his son, Charles, from 1850; and Elizabeth Todd Edwards' personal copy of the Episcopal Book of Common Prayer.

“As a Lincoln enthusiast, this donation is incredibly exciting to me. The people in these photographs and who owned these items were Lincoln’s nieces, nephews and in-laws,” said Erika Holst, curator of history for the ISM. “They were a part of the emotional fabric of his life, as he was in theirs. It’s amazing to be able to look at pictures of the same faces that Lincoln saw on a daily basis.”

An exclusive preview event will take place at the Illinois State Museum's Research and Collections Center in Springfield on April 23 at 5:30 p.m. The event is free and accessible to all ages.

The Illinois State Museum, founded in 1877, encourages exploration of Illinois' history and promotes thoughtful stewardship of cultural and natural resources. With locations in Springfield, Lewistown, and Lockport, the museum is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums and part of the International Coalition of Sites of Conscience.