This Presidents’ Day weekend, one of Morristown’s most treasured historic sites is transforming into a living, breathing rail line of American history, inviting families to follow the hidden footsteps of a president on the brink of destiny. At Macculloch Hall Historical Museum, a special family-centered experience will place young explorers directly inside the dramatic and little-known story of Abraham Lincoln’s perilous 1861 journey to Washington, D.C., offering an immersive afternoon that blends hands-on learning, storytelling, and real historical intrigue.

The program, titled Lincoln’s Whistle-stop Tour, is designed to turn a pivotal moment in national history into a fast-moving, interactive mystery for children and parents alike. Rather than simply listening to a lecture or touring a gallery, participants become investigators, tracing the actual route Lincoln traveled from Springfield, Illinois, to the nation’s capital as he prepared to take the oath of office and assume leadership of a deeply divided country.

For many families, Lincoln’s presidency is most familiar through classroom lessons on the Civil War or the Emancipation Proclamation. This experience focuses instead on the tense days before he ever reached the White House—when the nation’s future was uncertain and the president-elect faced credible threats to his safety before he could even be sworn in. Through a creative mix of travel cards, clue-based activities, and guided discussion, children follow the same railroad path that carried Lincoln through multiple cities and states, uncovering why secrecy, timing, and careful coordination were essential to protecting him.

What elevates the program beyond a traditional history workshop is its emphasis on the real people who stood quietly behind the scenes to keep Lincoln alive. Families learn about Allan Pinkerton, the pioneering private detective whose work would eventually help shape modern investigative practices, and Kate Warne, one of the first female detectives in American history. Their efforts to identify and disrupt assassination plots are presented as a story of strategy, observation, and courage, giving young visitors a powerful look at how history is shaped not only by presidents, but by problem-solvers who work in the shadows.

The experience is structured as a collaborative challenge, encouraging children to work together, compare clues, and piece together the journey one stop at a time. Each card reveals new information about the railroad route, the social climate in different regions, and the dangers Lincoln faced as tensions between North and South escalated. By the time families complete the final leg of the tour, children leave with a clearer understanding of how fragile the early days of Lincoln’s presidency truly were—and how close the country came to losing its leader before he could even take office.

The program will be offered on two dates in February 2026. Families can attend on Thursday, February 12, from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., or on Saturday, February 14, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. The experience is recommended for children ages 7 through 12 and is structured to remain engaging for both younger and older elementary-level learners. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 per child. Pre-registration is required, and adults are asked to remain with their children throughout the program to support participation and discussion.

The setting itself adds another powerful layer to the experience. Located at 45 Macculloch Avenue in Morristown, Macculloch Hall Historical Museum offers an intimate, community-focused environment that allows educators to connect personally with families and adjust activities to the interests and energy of each group. The museum’s historic atmosphere reinforces the feeling of stepping back into another era, making the story of Lincoln’s journey feel immediate rather than distant.

While the whistle-stop program serves as a centerpiece for Presidents’ Day programming, the museum’s broader educational mission continues well beyond this event. Throughout the year, Macculloch Hall offers youth and family programs that explore national history through a distinctly local lens. One of the most popular themes focuses on Thomas Nast, the influential political cartoonist who lived in Morristown and famously illustrated Abraham Lincoln. Nast’s work played a major role in shaping public perception during the Civil War and helped define the visual language of American political commentary, making him a natural extension of the museum’s Lincoln-related storytelling.

By weaving Nast’s artistic legacy together with Lincoln’s political journey, the museum gives children a fuller picture of how words, images, and ideas traveled across the country during one of its most turbulent periods. It also helps young learners recognize that New Jersey’s own communities were directly connected to national events that reshaped the future of the United States.

For families planning a winter weekend outing, the Lincoln’s Whistle-stop Tour offers an experience that balances fun, movement, and meaningful learning. It speaks to a growing demand among parents for programming that goes beyond passive observation and instead invites children to think critically, ask questions, and interact with real historical challenges. The format also supports multi-generational participation, making it an ideal activity for grandparents, parents, and children to share together.

Events like this continue to highlight how regional museums across the state are redefining what family entertainment looks like, blending culture, history, and creative engagement in ways that resonate with today’s audiences. Readers looking to discover more performances, exhibits, and hands-on programs across the Garden State can explore a wider range of upcoming experiences through Explore New Jersey’s entertainment coverage, which features family-friendly attractions and cultural events throughout the year.

At a time when digital distractions dominate so much of children’s attention, Lincoln’s Whistle-stop Tour offers something increasingly rare—a chance to hold history in your hands, follow a real journey across a divided nation, and experience the suspense, teamwork, and discovery that shaped one of the most important chapters in American leadership. In Morristown this February, a train route from 1861 becomes a living classroom, and Abraham Lincoln’s race to reach Washington safely becomes a story families will not soon forget.