Onstot's Cooper Shop, New Salem State Park, Lincoln's New Salem, Illinois   Save
AV83 Abraham Lincoln Presidental Collection
Description: A postcard of the interior view of Onstot's Cooper Shop and Residence. Henry Onstot was the town's cooper or barrel or basket maker. Text on the back reads, "Henry Onstot, cooper, built a two-room house in the spring of 1835. Later he added the frame lean-to. This was Onstot's third home in the village. He built his first home and first cooper shop in the eastern portion of town about 1830, upon his arrival in New Salem. From 1833 the Onstots lived at the Tavern, where they operated after the Rutledges moved to Sandridge. Onstot erected his second shop while operating the Rutledge Tavern in 1834. A year later he built his residence to the west and lived there until 1840. Abraham Lincoln and Isaac Onstot, the eldest son, were friends and ofter studied together here by the light of the fire kindled by the cooper's shavings. Historic New Salem State Park is located near Petersburg on Highway 97 and 123 about 17 miles northwest of Springfield, Illinois." View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AV83_B01F04_007
Subjects: Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865--Pictorial works
Places: New Salem (Illinois); Menard County (Illinois)