Metamora Courthouse State Historic Site

05/31/2026

Nothing we love more than young people who love the Court House! And a ballerina makes it even more awesome!! Thanks McClary family!

05/30/2026

05/26/2026

" Summer is here, and that means travel! When President Lincoln practiced law, travel wasn't easy, and he often had to stay in the 19th century equivalent of an Air B&B: The boarding house! Pictured here are several pieces of furniture originally in one of two boarding houses in Metamora, likely frequented by President Lincoln. Stop by on Saturday from 12-3 to find out more and share your favorite travel destination in the comments!"

Photo courtesy of Jerry Waldschmidt

05/26/2026

Thank you to the Greg Padesky family for putting the patriotic bunting up on the Metamora Courthouse today.

05/23/2026

Due to unforeseen circumstances, we will be closed today. We apologize for any inconvenience. Thank you!

05/08/2026

We are hanging out with our mom's this weekend, so the courthouse will be closed. We'll see you next Saturday, 5/16 at noon! Hug your mom!

04/14/2026

Today in History: Lincoln Assassinated

President Lincoln was assassinated in Ford’s Theatre this night in 1865. An eyewitness account in the Post reported that the sound of a pistol shot had barely drawn the audience’s attention. But then a man jumped to the stage, and Mrs. Lincoln screamed. The audience realized what had happened and rushed to the stage, shouting “Hang him! Hang him!”

In the 1930s, WPA historians travelled the country gathering accounts of America’s past from its oldest citizens. The interviewers found almost every American in their 70s could recall exactly what they were doing when they heard Lincoln had been killed.

John Steinbeck’s novel The Grapes of Wrath was published today in 1939. Steinbeck said he wrote it to identify the greedy Americans he felt were responsible for the Depression. It was the year’s best-selling book, but it was controversial. It was banned from libraries and even burned. Even now some schools are banning it for its profanity and political message while other schools have made it mandatory reading.

“Today in American History with Jeff Nilsson” can be heard on select public radio stations across the U.S.

Image: Illustration of Lincoln’s assassination (Wikimedia Commons)

04/14/2026

At 11:30 am on April 14, 1865, a messenger from the White House arrived at Ford's Theatre. He brought news that President Lincoln and the First Lady wished to reserve a box for that night's performance of "Our American Cousin."

As theatre treasurer, Harry Ford leapt into action to prepare a private box for the president. Ford directed stagehands to decorate the box with flags and a portrait of George Washington.

Around half an hour later, the actor John Wilkes Booth stopped by to pick up his mail. While he sat on the step reading his letters, Booth overheard the news of the special guest. Booth began to chuckle, then to laugh aloud. He folded the letters, stowed them in a pocket, and strode away.

Follow along on Facebook today as we trace Abraham Lincoln's last hours.



Photograph of Ford's Theatre from the Library of Congress