Beardstown History

Papa Ross and Grandma Connie regularly volunteer at the Beardstown Historical Museum. They gave us a private tour of the many rooms on Thomas Beard, Rudy Black, the Illinois River, the Beardstown Ladies, and more. We also saw the jail and courtroom. Abe Lincoln tried many cases in the courtroom including his famous "Almanac Trial" in 1858. Lincoln successfully defended Duff Armstrong against murder charges. This is the only courtroom where Lincoln practiced law that is still used today. We let Emma sit in the judge's chair, which she loved. Before we knew it, Emma had picked up the gavel and rapped it several times on the podium! Order in the court!