'Where history meets technology'

New website brings Abraham Lincoln to the world, digitally

Wired and wired broadband technology allow students worldwide to learn more about Abraham Lincoln at UnderHisHat.org

[November 19, 2012]  CHICAGO -- Lincoln artifacts previously on display only at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum are now being shared with the world through a digital portal supported by a grant from the AT&T Foundation.

"Under His Hat: Discovering Lincoln's Story From Primary Sources" is the online education product of the Lincoln Collection Digitization Project. The project brings to life the story of the nation's 16th president, Abraham Lincoln, through the Lincoln Collection, which is comprised of 52,000 Lincoln and Lincoln-era historical materials.

The Web home for the project, www.underhishat.org, brings to life artifacts including:

• The desk where Lincoln wrote his First Inaugural Address.

• A quill pen used by Lincoln in the Executive Mansion.

• A photo and lock of hair of the Lincoln's son Willie, who died in the White House at age 11.

• The blood-stained leather gloves President Lincoln carried the night he was shot by John Wilkes Booth.

The Under His Hat site is up and running for public viewing at www.underhishat.org.

"At AT&T, we are proud to support this important connection where history meets technology by bringing to life Abraham Lincoln's story through the Lincoln Collection and broadband technology with the Under His Hat project. This project will provide insight and inspiration from the life of Abraham Lincoln for people around the world," said Paul La Schiazza, president of AT&T Illinois. "Through the power of broadband technology, with a simple click, students around the world can instantly access these essential Lincoln artifacts and documents to gain further understanding of Abraham Lincoln, his remarkable achievements and his historical legacy."

"New technologies offer wider and even global access to the Lincoln Collection of artifacts and documents that help more fully illustrate the life of Abraham Lincoln," said Wayne Whalen, chairman of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Foundation. "The Under His Hat project will bring Lincoln to a wider audience and enhance the understanding and legacy of our nation's greatest president."

"Our goal is for the Under His Hat project to provide insight and inspiration for curious Lincoln students across the state and around the world," said Dr. Carla Knorowski, chief executive officer of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Foundation. "This is another moment in time when popular culture will heighten awareness of Lincoln and of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum. We're excited that this project will help us further the research of Lincoln and the appreciation of history through the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum."

The AT&T Foundation supported this project of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Foundation with a contribution of $97,500.

The project is especially timely as our nation's communications infrastructure is moving to a broadband platform, allowing more interested students the opportunity to easily learn more about Abraham Lincoln with Internet access from computers, tablets or smartphones.

AT&T is a longtime supporter of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, serving as a charter member of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Foundation and supporting the permanent attraction "Ghosts of the Library, presented by AT&T" at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum in Springfield

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Online:

http://www.underhishat.org/

Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum: http://www.presidentlincoln.org/

[Text from Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum file received from the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency]