Originally built by Veteran Col. Matthew Rogers (War of 1812), this building in Athens, Illinois is now home to the Abraham Lincoln Long Nine Museum.  In 1837, a dinner party was held in the banquet room on the second floor to honor those legislators (“The Long Nine”) who were effective in passing a bill to relocate the capital of Illinois from Vandalia to Springfield.  Among those influencers in attendance, was Abraham Lincoln, who gave the evening’s toast. 

Permanent exhibits at the Museum include the upstairs dioramas depicting Lincoln’s association with members of Col. Rogers’ family and other county residents, Biography Room with information about the “Long Nine” legislators, re-created Banquet Room with artist Lloyd Ostendorf’s painting of Lincoln toasting area residents, and History Room.

The museum also hosts rotating or temporary exhibits.

June – “Location of Lincoln’s law offices in Springfield” and “ ‘Kettle arm’ was used in Col. Rogers’ ‘1828 House’ ”.
 
July – “Francis family had associations in Menard County” and “Businesses in Athens in 1885”.
 
August – “Alexander Hesler’s photographs of Lincoln” and “The ‘Lincoln stairs’ in the Col. Rogers (‘Long Nine’ Museum) Building”.