An informational kiosk on the Logan County Courthouse lawn and a new painting are under consideration for the local commemoration of Abraham Lincoln's 200th birthday.

 

 

 

 

Members of Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission of Lincoln gathered at the home of Lincoln College President John Hutchinson Monday afternoon to discuss and coordinate activities for the bicentennial celebration.

Hutchinson is a member of the commission, as is local historian Paul Beaver, who moderated the discussion. Lincoln college museum curator Ron Keller co-chairs the commission with Mayor Beth Davis. Both Beaver and Keller serve on the national bicentennial commission.

Its mission is to memorialize the birthday; emphasize the local Lincoln connection; and celebrate Lincoln's thoughts and ideas of freedom and equality.

Davis said Lincoln Heritage Days was established in 2004 to raise funds for bicentennial events. She said the local bicentennial celebration will begin in July 2008 with Lincoln Heritage Days and end in September 2009, with the Abraham Lincoln National Railsplitting and Crafts Festival.

Davis wants to add several activities to the July 4-7 Heritage Days to build up funds to distribute beginning next year.

Keller explained the process for grant applications, which will again be accepted in October. Grantors are seeking projects that will provide a lasting legacy and remain after the birthday celebration ends in 2009.

Beaver suggested commissioning an oil painting for the new Lincoln College Museum. The image would depict Abraham Lincoln on the steps of the Logan County Courthouse, during a speech he delivered to about 5,000 people on Oct. 16, 1858.

Beaver hopes to market the tourism video, "Abraham Lincoln: From Surveyor to President," which was completed in 2002. He is seeking suggestions for both projects.

Beaver suggested stories in The Courier about what the community was like in Abraham Lincoln's time, what he would have seen here and whom he knew.

Phil Bertoni of Mount Pulaski said a Mount Pulaski Bicentennial Commission, formed two years ago, has also sponsored a reenactment of the "Cast Iron Tombstone Case" in the Mount Pulaski Courthouse. They hope to continue the presentation, as well as reenact a pageant about the town's founding.

Bob McCue of Mount Pulaski offered his services as a costumed tour guide. He reported on the GPS coordinates he and his brother completed for county historic sites. He suggested cross-promotion of Logan County events at various festivals.

Betty Hickey reported on the Mount Pulaski Historical Society Museum. She said among its holdings is a plaster bust of a beardless Lincoln done by sculptor Leonard Volk. Only a few of the originals exist.

Mount Pulaski hopes to erect more Lincoln-related signage.

Hickey invited PBS-TV's Mark McDonald to Mount Pulaski for an "Illinois Stories" segment. Another segment was done recently in Middletown. That community is also working on grants and is interested in the map that is being developed to route tourists through the county to Abraham Lincoln related sites.

Annette Chapman said the Atlanta City Council has approved the erection of four Ostendorf signs to mark city sites. She said the fall festival will have a Lincoln theme next year.

Tourism director Geoff Ladd encouraged communities to invest in at least one official Looking for Lincoln sign. The first sign was erected at the Lincoln Depot in 2000, at a cost of approximately $10,000. Half of the cost was covered by a matching grant from the Looking for Lincoln tourism program.

"When you buy a sign," Ladd said, "you also buy into the marketing, and I think that's really important. It costs about $1,000 to buy in."

Ladd said the state Looking for Lincoln program has reduced the price of the signs and will still match half the cost. The official signs can be mixed with the Ostendorf signs being promoted by another local group.

Ladd said he can play a supportive role in the grant writing, but does not have the staffing to complete all communities' applications. The grant deadline is next week.

Wanda Lee Rohlfs, Main Street Lincoln director, hopes to have a kiosk erected on the lawn of the Logan County Courthouse, opposite the Indian Mother statue. She is checking on costs.

Rohlfs said the four-sided structure would have a county map on one side with GPS coordinates for 40 historic sites; a calendar of events with listings for every community in the county on another side; and Lincoln events on the remaining sides.

"I would like to have it up in 2008," Rolhfs said, "and dedicate it at the bicentennial opening."

She plans to continue the Renaissance Fair for the next two years, presenting Lincoln's favorite play, "Mac Beth," in 2009.

Darlene Begolka of the Lincoln Railsplitting Association said that group is making an effort to design the railsplitting festival so "you just imagine you're living back in Abraham Lincoln's time."

The Civil War ball will be held this year at Lincoln College. The group hopes to attract contestants from an even greater distance for the national rail splitting contest.

Charles Ott is still seeking people to enter the Abraham Lincoln look-alike contest during heritage days. He needs people who could be on call to participate in events during the Lincoln Bicentennial celebration. He is seeking a beardless Lincoln, a bearded Lincoln and a Mary Todd Lincoln. Keller hopes to find a sponsor to raise prize money for the contest.