Springfield, Illinois

Spent the afternoon at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum. Grace did not want to take time to cross the street to peek into the corresponding library. Since the front page of the library web site has outdated info., I'd guess the museum is getting the lion's share of attention.

The museum is a carefully crafted multi-part multi-media narrative. In places the packaging overwhelms the information content -- in my opinion. To give the museum its due, the displays do include "sources for further study" bibliographies, and directions to historic locations in Springfield and the surrounding area.

Springfield is attracting other museums that want to be where museum-goers gather. A museum of mortuary practices is relocating from Michigan. A Korean War museum is relocating from a now-closed military post. Clusters of museums can become tourist attractions and thereby support a local economic segment to serve that population.