SPRINGFIELD – Abraham Lincoln’s birthday is so important that his presidential library will celebrate it twice this year, with free admission on two days. Guests get in free at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum on his actual birthday, Feb. 12, and also on Saturday, Feb. 7, for a day of stories, games and music for children.
The ALPLM will also have its signed copy of the Emancipation Proclamation on display, giving people a rare chance to see Lincoln’s signature on a document that changed the course of American history.
Abraham Lincoln was born Feb. 12, 1809, in central Kentucky. “I was raised to farm work,” Lincoln would later write. “There was absolutely nothing to excite ambition for education.” Yet Lincoln read voraciously, taught himself, studied law and rose to become a pivotal figure in American’s 250-year story.
“Abraham Lincoln loved books and understood their power to change lives. That’s why we celebrate his birthday by encouraging children to read. We hope parents and caregivers from all over will bring their little ones on this special day,” said Christina Shutt, executive director of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum.
The “Lincolns4Lincoln Literacy Jam” runs 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Feb. 7. It is a joint initiative of the ALPLM and the Lincoln Library (Springfield’s public library). It includes children’s stories read by special guests, musical performances and magic tricks. The event also encourages people to donate books for the Compass for Kids program. Learn how to give at https://www.compassforkids.org/literacy-jam.
For the day’s activities, visit the events section at www.PresidentLincoln.Illinois.gov.
The celebration resumes Feb. 12, Lincoln’s actual birthday, with another day of free admission. Visitors can meet Mr. Lincoln (portrayed by Randy Duncan) from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and enjoy music by Mike Anderson, a virtuoso on the banjo, dulcimer and more.
Guests can also visit a special exhibit, “Lincoln: A Life and Legacy that Defined a Nation.” The exhibit explores Lincoln’s life and his impact on other people with dozens of the most important treasures from our collection. It includes a signed copy of the Emancipation Proclamation, Lincoln’s 1863 order freeing millions of enslaved people in Southern states. The delicate document is stored safely in a vault most of the year, so this is one of the few times people can see it for themselves.
A related book from the ALPLM, “Lincoln: The Life and Legacy that Defined a Nation in 100 Objects,” features even more Lincoln treasures from the museum’s collection.
The ALPLM offers free admission in honor of Lincoln’s birthday because everyone, regardless of income, should get the opportunity to learn about Lincoln and his impact on America. Another way to do that is with Lincoln Unlocked, which gives visitors access to rare photos and artifacts, profiles of historic figures and cutting-edge augmented reality features. The tool adds new dimensions to an ALPLM visit, but many of its features can be enjoyed anywhere. Lincoln Unlocked can be downloaded free from Google Play and Apple’s App Store.
The mission of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum is to inspire civic engagement through the diverse lens of Illinois history and share with the world the life and legacy of Abraham Lincoln. We pursue this mission througha combination of rigorous scholarship and high-tech showmanship built on the bedrock of the ALPLM’s unparalleled collection of historical materials – roughly 13 million items from all eras of Illinois history.
For more information, visit www.PresidentLincoln.illinois.gov. You can follow the ALPLM on Facebook, X/Twitter and Instagram.
