CHICAGO (CBS)—Chicago has always had a strong connection to political gatherings, and a unique bookstore in the city has put together a new exhibit featuring artifacts related to the 1860 Republican National Convention.

“Every historical artifact has its own story. This head was here when I first came to the store in 1971.”

An 86-year-old Chicago bookstore is young compared to its contents, and everywhere you look in the Abraham Lincoln Book Shop, you’ll find a lot of Lincoln.

“Everything here is old. Nothing is new, I’m sorry. There’s Lincoln, three-dimensional. I don’t have to use a photo. There he is.”

Daniel Weinberg is proud to display presidential artifacts, especially now before the Democratic National Convention.

“It will shed light on the history of conventions. We’ve had so many here. Chicago has always been a center for conventions.”

The presidential nominating conventions in Chicago have been going on for 164 years. Long before the United Center, there was the Wigwam.

“It was actually quite a large hall for its time,” Weinberg said.

The temporary building near Lake and Wabash was built for the Republican National Convention in 1860.

“The wigwam was built in about five or six weeks for about $5,000 to $7,000.”

Weinberg has put together a special exhibition in time for the DNC.

“Two of the pieces here were in the wigwam itself. This is one of the most adorable pieces I’ve ever held. This is what he looked like with that tousled hair,” Weinberg said.

Weinberg said a colored handbill thrown from the second floor of the convention hall was Lincoln’s very first campaign photo, but this one was unique. A business card became a tally card, documenting the three votes needed to nominate Lincoln.

“He did it and had it in the bag. Bates went from 48 to 35. He won the first, second, third and then at 254, and that’s why there’s an Abraham Lincoln Book Shop today,” Weinberg said.

A direct connection and suddenly the story doesn’t feel so far away.

“Touching an artifact will bring you back instantly.”

The exhibit at the Abraham Lincoln Book Shop will be open for the next three weeks. It is located in the River West neighborhood at the corner of Chicago and Ashland.