Doors open again Wednesday at Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum
Revamped exhibit includes 15th anniversary videos

 

[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.

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 [e-mail] 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.

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.

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 [e-mail] 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.

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 [e-mail] or call 217-558-8844.

[Christopher Wills
Communications Director
Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum]