Lincoln museum honors Martin Luther King’s inspiration
Not-for-profit groups can get free admission to Lincoln Presidential Museum on King’s birthday
 

[January 15, 2016]  SPRINGFIELD – The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum will offer free admission to community groups on Jan. 18, Martin Luther King Day, in thanks for their work to better the lives of others.

This is the third year the presidential library has marked King’s birthday by holding Community Day. The event will also let organizations tell the public about their services and give lower admission prices to families donating basketballs or volleyballs for youth programs.

Dr. King once said, “Not everybody can be famous, but everybody can be great because greatness is determined by service.” Each year, thousands upon thousands of Illinoisans turn that philosophy into action by joining groups to improve education, clean up neighborhoods, help the needy and much more.

Free admission to the presidential museum is meant to honor that service and to help children appreciate another great American who prized liberty and equality. Reservations are required and can be made by calling the Group Tours office at 217-558-8939.
 

The usual admission price is $15 for adults and $6 for children 5 to 15.

Groups bringing children must have one adult chaperone for every 10 children. (Extra chaperones above that ratio will have to pay for their tickets.) The children can range in age from 4th grade to high school seniors.

Informational booths will be located in the museum plaza from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to highlight area non-profit groups and their contributions to the community.

Furthering our commitment to the community, the Lincoln Presidential Library is also partnering with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Illinois. Every Sunday in January and on Monday, Jan. 18, entire families can visit the museum for just $10 if they bring a new basketball or volleyball to help the Boys & Girls Clubs stock their equipment room.

The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, a division of the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency, is dedicated to telling the story of America’s 16th president through old-fashioned scholarship and modern technology.

The library maintains an unparalleled collection of Lincoln documents, photographs, artifacts and art. It also has some 12 million items pertaining to all aspects of Illinois history, making the library one of the nation’s leading institutions for genealogy and history research.

For more information, visit  www.president lincoln.illinois.gov.

[Christopher Wills, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum]