 "Three million people have journeyed to the Land of Lincoln to see
the nation's most talked-about presidential museum and have left
with a greater appreciation for our 16th president and his enduring
legacy," said Gov. Pat Quinn. "I congratulate our 3 millionth
visitor and look forward to welcoming millions more in the years to
come."
Becky Hughes from St. Joseph, Mo., became the 3 millionth person
to visit the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum since it opened on
April 19, 2005. Hughes was welcomed by dignitaries and received a
selection of gifts from the gift shop at the museum, courtesy of the
Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Foundation.
The museum's 1 millionth visitor arrived Jan. 6, 2007, and the 2
millionth on July 4, 2009. Visitors from every state and nearly
every nation on earth have toured the museum.
"Our new 'To Kill and to Heal' exhibit, the library's ongoing
'Boys in Blue' exhibit and exciting new programs like the 'Mary Todd
Lincoln Insanity Re-trial' are enticing more new visitors," said
Eileen Mackevich, director of the presidential library and museum.
[to top of second column] |
The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum is the
nation's most visited presidential complex, combining rigorous
scholarship with a phenomenal visitor experience. It holds one of
the world's most impressive collections of original Lincoln
materials -- 52,000 items in all -- including an original copy of
the Gettysburg Address, Emancipation Proclamation and 13th
Amendment, as well as Abraham Lincoln's stovepipe hat. The library
part of the complex contains 12 million items pertaining to all
aspects of Illinois history and is one of the nation's top places
for genealogy and history research.
The museum, which requires paid admission, is open seven days a
week. The library is open free of charge Monday through Friday for
research and seven days a week for viewing of the "Boys in Blue"
Civil War exhibit.
For more information, visit
www.presidentlincoln.org.
[Text from
Abraham
Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum
file received from the
Illinois Historic
Preservation Agency] |
