Lincoln's New Salem

the long version

Part one of this book is devoted to the history of New Salem. It tells who the inhabitants were, how they lived, and how they looked on life. Since many of those most active in the village lived in outlying settlements the account is not limited to the village, but provides a picture of ther whole community. In Part Two, Lincoln's activities are discussed, and the meaning of the New Salem years in his development is appraised. Part Three explains the growth of the Lincoln legend around the site of the lost town, and the changing conception of the significance of the frontier as a factor in Lincoln's life. It explains how New Salem came to be restored, the manner in which the fact about the old cabins were secured, how the furnishings were acquired, and the problems that had to be solved in the restoration. --from the forward.