Group hopes to buy house where Lincoln stayed

ANNA -- A group in Union County is trying to buy and preserve a home Abraham Lincoln stayed in when he came to the area in 1858 to debate Stephen Douglas.

The house on Main Street in the central Illinois community of Anna belonged to his friend, D.L. Phillips. The house was built in 1855.

Lincoln debated Douglas in nearby Jonesboro and stayed in the house for two nights.

The owners say they're selling the house to move to Alabama. They say the sitting room still has the original maple floor and the windows and baseboards of the same room are also original.

The group called Promoting Appreciation of Structural Treasures would like to use the house for such activites as luncheons, quilt shows and teas.