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Craig Schone of Chapin was
welcomed as the museum's 1 millionth visitor. "This accomplishment
in such a short time is a testament to the Abraham Lincoln
Presidential Museum, the city of Springfield, and Illinois,"
Blagojevich said. "Since April of 2005, folks from around the state,
the nation and the world have experienced the remarkable story of
Lincoln -- a man of great integrity and perseverance and one of our
nation's greatest leaders."
Blagojevich opened the presidential museum with President George
W. Bush and a host of dignitaries in April of 2005. The dedication
in Union Square Park, across from the museum, concluded two decades
of planning and hard work, bringing the public and private life of
Abraham Lincoln to the forefront. In its first year, the
presidential library and museum attracted more than 600,000
visitors, doubling predictions for first-year attendance. Visitors
have come from every state in the nation and a number of countries
around the world. Schoolchildren make up a significant portion of
visitors.
"We at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum are
thrilled to welcome our millionth visitor," said Rick Beard,
executive director of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and
Museum. "As we prepare for the bicentennial of Mr. Lincoln's birth
over the next two years, we look forward to telling even more
visitors the important story of our 16th president's life and
times."
The 1 millionth visitor received a key to the city of
Springfield, presented by Mayor Tim Davlin; two tickets to the
inaugural swearing-in ceremony and the inaugural ball; and a gift
basket from the museum gift shop, compliments of the Abraham Lincoln
Presidential Library Foundation.
"Drawing a million visitors to this museum in its first 21 months
is a triumph for Springfield and for Illinois," said Julie Cellini,
board chairwoman, Illinois Historic Preservation Agency. "But most
of all it is a validation of the bold concept of this museum -- to
tell a 19th-century story in ways that audiences of the 21st century
are wholeheartedly embracing,"
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Attendance numbers aside, the
Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library
and Museum is proud of several other accomplishments since the April
2005 opening, including three blockbuster exhibits, "Blood on the
Moon," "Christmas at the White House" and "Mrs. President: From
Martha to Laura." With foundation support, the library and museum
unveiled new programs such as "Evenings to Remember," featuring
former Illinois Gov. Jim Thompson, former Illinois congressman Dan
Rostenkowski, Pulitzer-prize winning author and historian Doris
Kearns Goodwin, and acclaimed television journalist Bill Kurtis. The
library and museum also launched the Jim Edgar Lecture Series,
featuring Pulitzer-prize winning historian David McCullough and
author-journalist David Brooks. Upcoming events include "Tales
from the Crypt: A History of the Lincoln Tomb." This exhibit will
relive the events and decisions surrounding the creation of the
Lincoln Tomb -- from the tomb raiders to the plots to steal
Lincoln's body and continuing through the restoration of the site
and reburying of Lincoln in 1901. In addition, the exhibit will look
at the caretakers that have protected this historic site through the
years. All this and more will be on exhibit Feb. 3 through March 25.
Then the museum will present "Mary Todd Lincoln: First Lady of
Controversy," debuting in April. The show will tell the story of a
young Mary Todd in Kentucky, her troubled courtship and eventual
marriage to the young lawyer Abraham Lincoln. Continue on her path
as Mary assumes her new role as wife and mother, taking charge of
running the household and raising a family. As first lady, Mary
undertakes a major renovation of the White House, which had been
left in neglect. The tragedy of war, the loss of her son Willie and
the assassination of President Lincoln all left emotional scars that
never healed. Robert Todd Lincoln, convinced that his mother was
insane, had her committed for a brief time in a private sanitarium.
Mary's efforts to be released and her subsequent travels in Europe
are all revealed. "Mary Todd Lincoln: First Lady of Controversy"
runs April 28-Oct. 28.
[News release from the governor's office]
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