The Old State Capitol State Historic Site in Springfield, Illinois is Illinois' fifth state capitol and is now a museum.
Erected in 1837-40, it served as the Illinois state legislature from 1840-1876 until the function moved to the new Illinois State Capitol. Abraham Lincoln announced his candidacy for the presidency here in 1858, and Barack Obama his in 2007.
Abraham Lincoln also served as an MP here in 1840-41 and practiced law here in 1841-60. The Greek Revival style building served as Sangamon County's local courthouse from 1876 to 1966. Due to the close relationship with Abraham Lincoln, the building, which has since been greatly modified, was converted into a museum in the late 1960s in its approximate condition of the mid-19th century. In fact, it was a demolition and new construction as a reconstruction for patriotic museum purposes.