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Tourism
kiosk just the beginning as community approaches Abe's bicentennial
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[July 12, 2008]
The new, always-on-duty kiosk on
the square is the first component of a multiphase project to enhance
the experience of visitors to our historic county for the Abraham
Lincoln Bicentennial celebration.
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 A second phase of the project will be the installation of new
signage throughout our community before the end of the year, with
interactive capabilities shortly after that. Wanda Lee Rohlfs,
director of Main Street Lincoln, explained that these are more than
just signs.At each of the 43 historically significant or
interpretive locations, a sign explaining the event and a cell phone
number with a specific extension number will be shown. Callers can
call this number and listen to a scripted dialogue between two
people who will relate the experience as if they were present at the
time of the event. This entertaining but also informational dialogue
will help visitors as well as local residents gain a much better
appreciation for our community's heritage.
Another important part of this project will be the Oct. 16
re-enactment of Lincoln's 1858 speech on the Logan County Courthouse
grounds. This speech drew 5,000 people to the square to listen to a
favorite Illinois son who was about to run for the presidency.
Coupled with this event will be the unveiling of a painting by
Jennifer Boeke depicting Lincoln during this speech. The unveiling
of the artwork will be at the Lincoln Heritage Museum on the Lincoln
College campus.
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The last part of the project deals with an extensive brochure that
not only tells visitors about our historic sites but gives GPS
coordinates for each location to help modern travelers find them
with ease. The brochure is expected to be available before Abe has
to blow out the 200 candles on his birthday cake on Feb. 12, 2009.
These projects were made possible by a grant from the Illinois
Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission as well as contributions
from area tourism organizations, local businesses and individuals.
[By MIKE FAK]
For more information
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