Metamora Courthouse State Historic Site

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Metamora Courthouse State Historic Site We are one of only two Eighth Judicial Circuit courthouses left where Abraham Lincoln practiced law. Contact the site for details.

The Metamora Courthouse was built in 1845 and served as the center of county government until the county seat was moved to Eureka in 1896. It is one of two surviving courthouses on the historic Eighth Judicial Circuit traveled by Abraham Lincoln. In 1978 the Courthouse was added to the National Register of Historic Places. The first floor of the two-story brick structure contains a central hall flanked by two exhibit rooms, one displaying artifacts of early local history, the other with exhibits describing the 1850s court system and Lincoln's life on the Eighth Judicial Circuit. On the second floor, the former courtroom and two small chambers are furnished to represent the era during which Lincoln practiced law. Visitors may take guided tours of the building or view the rooms and exhibits on their own. The building’s first floor is accessible to persons with disabilities; the second floor is not. Metamora Courthouse hosts an annual ​afternoon “Christmas in the Courthouse” (first Friday in December).

10/10/2026
168 years ago today, October 4, 1858, Abraham Lincoln made his last recorded visit to Woodford County and the Metamora C...
10/04/2026

168 years ago today, October 4, 1858, Abraham Lincoln made his last recorded visit to Woodford County and the Metamora Courthouse where he met with the States Attorney to finalize the case of Melissa Goings. Following that meeting he went to Pages Grove, now Lincoln Douglas Park, to give a speech in follow-up to one made by Stephen Douglas four days earlier. The flag on display in the courthouse, made by women of Greene Township, hung behind both men.

The Metamora Courthouse is in search of a podium, like the one in the picture below that is to the left of the doll hous...
10/03/2026

The Metamora Courthouse is in search of a podium, like the one in the picture below that is to the left of the doll house, to use in our display at the Courthouse. This picture was taken at the Reddick Mansion in Ottawa and the Metamora Courthouse has an identical dollhouse, which is a replica of Lincoln’s Springfield home, and would like a stand to display the interesting story. Please let us know if you have one we could have for the display.

Come and check out our collection of canes at the Metamora Courthouse Saturday from 12-3pm. Photos courtesy of Kolton Cl...
10/03/2026

Come and check out our collection of canes at the Metamora Courthouse Saturday from 12-3pm. Photos courtesy of Kolton Clymer.

It’s a beautiful fall day. As you are out and about, stop by the historical Metamora Courthouse and take in the history ...
09/26/2026

It’s a beautiful fall day. As you are out and about, stop by the historical Metamora Courthouse and take in the history that surrounds you. Open today from 12-3pm.

If you love history, Abraham Lincoln specifically, consider joining our team!
09/24/2026

If you love history, Abraham Lincoln specifically, consider joining our team!

Today, Saturday, September 19 at 1pm, Pam Brown will be portraying Mary Todd Lincoln at the Metamora Courthouse and tel...
09/19/2026

Today, Saturday, September 19 at 1pm, Pam Brown will be portraying Mary Todd Lincoln at the Metamora Courthouse and telling the story of her last day in the White House.

Mark your calendar for Saturday September, September 19, 2026 at 1pm. The final speaker series of the summer will be hel...
09/09/2026

Mark your calendar for Saturday September, September 19, 2026 at 1pm. The final speaker series of the summer will be held at the Metamora Courthouse in the courtroom. Pam Brown, a Mary Todd Lincoln impersonator from Springfield, will be telling the story, “Taking Leave” about Mary Lincoln’s final day in the White House….her memories and her deep sorrow. You don’t won’t to miss this opportunity to hear Pam as Mary Lincoln.

08/29/2026

Mark your calendars. WTVP will air the Underground Railroad in Metamora on October 5, 2026 at 8pm.

Address

113 East Partridge Street
Metamora, IL
61548

Opening Hours

12pm - 3pm

Telephone

+13093674470

Website

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