Doors open again Wednesday at
Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum
Revamped exhibit includes 15th anniversary
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[July 01, 2020]
SPRINGFIELD -- The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and
Museum is excited to open its doors to the public again on
Wednesday, July 1.
In celebration of the museum’s 15th anniversary, a freshly
overhauled exhibit, “The Mr. Lincoln Theater,” will show videos that
highlight the institution’s development, growth and contributions to
Illinois.
The museum and library have also been thoroughly cleaned and
disinfected. Multiple safety protocols have been put in place to
protect the health of both visitors and staff – for instance,
everyone will be asked to maintain a safety distance of one
“Lincoln,” or six feet, four inches.
While a traveling exhibit about spies and saboteurs had been
scheduled to open, the show needs additional work before it is ready
for public viewing. A new debut date has not been determined yet.
“It will be great to see visitors once again exploring Lincoln’s
life and learning more about his unique role in American history,”
said Melissa Coultas, acting executive director of the Abraham
Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum. “We’ll be doing everything
possible to keep everyone healthy, and we hope our visitors will
embrace that mission with us.”
The museum opened April 19, 2005. The library had opened the
previous year. Since then, a shade under 5 million people have
visited the institution to see irreplaceable documents and
artifacts, tour incredibly realistic scenes from Lincoln’s life,
enjoy theatrical presentations and meet actors portraying figures
from history.
The museum also presents temporary exhibits on a wide variety of
historical topics. One created by the International Spy Museum
entitled “Spies, Traitors, Saboteurs: Fear and Freedom in America”
was originally going to open in late March, but work on the project
was interrupted by the coronavirus shutdown.
Now that work has resumed, museum officials have decided some parts
of the exhibit should be updated and expanded.
A longtime interactive exhibit called “Ask Mr. Lincoln” has been overhauled.
Previously, it featured Lincoln’s own words and commentary from a historian to
answer common questions about Lincoln.
Ultimately, the new version, “The Mr. Lincoln Theater,” will offer fresh video
content about the 16th president, but in this 15th anniversary year it will
feature material about how the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum
was conceived, planned and built.
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New measures to maximize public safety include:
• Requiring tickets be purchased in advance, either online or by telephone
• A brief visitor screening, including a temperature check before admission
• Requiring face masks at all times
• Installing signs with outlines of Lincoln’s feet to help visitors maintain
proper physical distance
• Reducing the number of theater performances and maintaining safe guest
distancing throughout the shows (theaters will be cleaned and disinfected after
each performance)
• The temporary closure of the “Mrs. Lincoln’s Attic” play area and Union
Station, home to an exhibit on railroad history
• Limiting library access to reservation-only research patrons
• Establishing a strict cleaning and sanitation regimen for the museum and
library.
The museum will be open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week. Visitors can buy
tickets up to two weeks in advance at
www.PresidentLincoln.Illinois.gov.
The library will be open 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays, but admission will be
by appointment only. Researchers who want to schedule a visit should email
ALPLM.reference@illinois.gov or call the reference desk at 217-524-6358.
For more information, visit
www.PresidentLincoln.illinois.gov.
Answers to your questions about
reopening the Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum
The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum plans to reopen to the
public on July 1. Here are answers to some questions you may have.
Q: Will I have to wear a mask?
A: Yes. All guests and staff must wear masks to reduce the possibility of
spreading the coronavirus. If you do not have a mask, we will provide one.
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Q: Is it safe to visit?
A: Our priority is to take every measure we can to ensure safety for
our guests and our employees. We are following and exceeding
recommendations of Illinois’ top health-safety leaders to create an
environment that mitigates coronavirus spread. In addition to
wearing masks, all staff and guests will have their temperatures
checked. Those with temperatures of 100.4 and above will not be
admitted. We have installed partitions at the ticket counter and
information desk. The number of guests will be limited, and we will
require everyone to maintain a safe distance. We also have set up an
aggressive schedule of cleaning and disinfecting all areas
throughout the day. For example, our theaters will be thoroughly
disinfected after every performance.
Q: How many visitors will be allowed in?
A: The limit will be 175 guests in the museum at any one time,
spread over thousands of square feet of exhibition space. For
researchers at the library reading room, there is a limit of no more
than four (4) at one time. Researchers should make appointments.
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Q: What if I show up and you’re already at the maximum visitor
limit?
A: In most cases, we are not able to sell tickets at the door.
Therefore, visitors must buy tickets online at
www.PresidentLincoln.Illinois.gov or by telephone at 217-558-8844.
This arrangement allows us to manage the start times for visitors so
there’s always enough room. Guests who may have challenges in
arranging tickets online will receive onsite assistance.
Q: Are large groups still allowed to visit?
A: No. For now, groups will be limited to 10 people. That means no
visits by school groups, tour buses and so forth.
Q: Will I still be able to eat lunch at the museum?
A: No. At least for the immediate future, our restaurant will not be
open.
Q: Will the gift shop be open?
A: Yes.
Q: Will all parts of the museum be open?
A: Everything except for the “Mrs. Lincoln’s Attic” children’s play
area (and, as noted above, our sandwich shop). We are also closing
Union Station, which is across the street from the museum and houses
displays about trains.
Q: What days and times will you be open?
A: The museum will be open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week. The
library will be open by appointment from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on
weekdays. To schedule a research visit to the library, email
ALPLM.reference@illinois.gov or call the reference desk at
217-524-6358.
Q: Will the museum still offer special shows and visits by
historic interpreters?
A: Our two theater presentations, “Lincoln’s Eyes” and “Ghosts of
the Library,” will continue, although with more space between
audience members. We are still working out a policy for musical
performances and appearances by people portraying historic figures.
Q: What about appearances by authors, presentations by ALPLM
experts and other public events?
A: We will not offer any in-person public events in the near future.
We will, however, continue providing online presentations by our
staff and outside experts.
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Q: What about lockers, wheelchairs and strollers – will you still
provide them for guests? If you do, how can I be sure they’ll be
safe?
A: We will provide wheelchairs and strollers to anyone who needs
them. They will be cleaned and disinfected thoroughly between uses.
We strongly recommend leaving unneeded items in your car, but
lockers will be available and cleaned after each use. Any items left
in the coat room will be thrown away at the end of day.
Q: Can I rent the museum or library for an event?
A: Our rental program is taking reservations and coordinating with
customers. However, we are not scheduling events during the months
July and August.
Q: I have more questions. Who do I contact?
A: Please send an email to clare.thorpe@illinois.gov or call
217-558-8844.
[Christopher Wills
Communications Director
Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum] |