Obama Sat Here: Illinois Senate Cataloging Obama's Chair, Other Items

Chairs, pens and other items used over the years by President-elect Barack Obama may now be historical artifacts and the Illinois Senate is out to catalog as much of the stuff used by its former member as it can, the Southern reports.

The chair once used by President-elect Barack Obama when he served in the Illinois Senate could be destined for a museum.

The swiveling, high-backed leather chair is among items from Obama's Springfield days that are being inventoried with an eye on saving them for the sake of history.

The Chicago Democrat served in the Illinois Senate from 1997 to 2004, before heading to the U.S. Senate.

During his time in Springfield, the Senate chambers underwent a massive restoration, which resulted in the destruction all of the desks on the floor - including Obama's. The chairs from that period, however, were saved and the one used by Obama has been in storage with others.

A spokesman for Senate President Emil Jones said the assessment is just beginning and that the Senate, which is reviewing the Obama material with the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency, will look to the way California handled things associated with Ronald Reagan, who was governor before becoming president, for guidance.