Lincoln museum sells Thanksgiving turkey toys

SPRINGFIELD — Visitors to Springfield can come away with a piece of Thanksgiving history.

The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum Store is selling a Thanksgiving turkey toy with a copy of a note from the 16th president.

Each toy comes with a reproduction of a note from Lincoln, who the museum says proclaimed the first national Thanksgiving holiday in 1863.

The plush turkey toys sell for $9.99.

The note in Lincoln’s handwriting, reads, “This turkey is pardoned by order of the President. A. Lincoln.”

Lincoln once pardoned a White House turkey with a note at the request of his son Tad. The practice later became a presidential tradition.

The turkey toy can be purchased in the museum store or online.