Lincoln Presidential Foundation/National Park Service
Lincoln’s Springfield
REIMAGINING HISTORY FOR THE NEXT GENERATION
The Lincoln Presidential Foundation and the National Park Service set out to share an untold story—one that brings Abraham Lincoln’s diverse Springfield community to life for a new generation. In partnership with the LPF and the NPS, McCullough Creative transformed the Corneau House into the first-ever Lincoln Home National Historic Site exhibit designed specifically for young audiences. To engage students aged 10 to 14, the exhibit had to break from traditional museum styles, embracing vibrant colors, original artwork, and interactive storytelling within a compact 900-square-foot space.
The result is Lincoln’s Springfield, an immersive experience centered on identity, agency, and community. Six comic-book-style graphic novels let students step into history, making the past feel personal and dynamic. Since opening in February 2024, the exhibit has drawn an enthusiastic response from students and educators alike. Its success is already shaping new approaches to museum storytelling, proving that history can be both engaging and meaningful to young audiences.
SERVICES:
– Interpretive Planning
– Creative Direction
– Content Development
– Exhibit Design
– UI/UX Design
– Interactive Programming/Development
– Graphic Production
– Fabrication
– Installation
VISITOR EXPERIENCE
From the outside, the Corneau House may look like another historic home. But Lincoln’s Springfield hits guests with an immediate “wow” factor as soon as they step through the front door. Guests are instantly greeted by a colorful display that conveys what the exhibit’s personality and content are all about. As they navigate their way through the rest of the exhibit, visitors have an opportunity to take a deeper dive into the content.
GRAPHIC NOVELS
A primary feature of the exhibit is six digital graphic novels, one on each featured individual, presented in a comic-book format on multiple touch screens throughout the exhibit. Touch-screen technology allows seamless navigation complemented by panels featuring additional graphics and images of primary sources.
ARTWORK AND DESIGN
Life-sized cutouts, diverse color palettes, and compelling quotations and statistics guide visitors through the exhibit. This original artwork and imaginative design make the subjects come to life in an accessible way—and allow the exhibit to effectively feature extensive content within a relatively small space.
INTERACTIVE FEATURES
Aiming for a deeper connection with visitors, Lincoln’s Springfield also includes interactive features that transform visitors from passive observers to active participants. One such example is an interactive green screen that places students within historic settings in the community. In addition to creating a fun “wow” factor, this feature invites visitors to contemplate how their lives relate to and overlap with subjects in the exhibit.