SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — A replica of a hearse that carried Abraham Lincoln to his original tomb is going on display later this month at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum.
The original hearse was destroyed in a fire in 1887. It had taken the 16th president’s body from Springfield’s Old State Capitol to the Oak Ridge Cemetery for burial on May 4, 1865. The remains were later moved to an elaborately designed tomb. Lincoln was assassinated on April 15, 1865.
The Illinois Historic Preservation Agency said Tuesday that the hearse will be exhibited in the museum plaza from May 20 to June 3.
The recreated hearse was commissioned by Springfield’s Staab family for last year’s 150th anniversary of Lincoln’s funeral.