Durbin Convenes Meeting to Promote Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area

DURBIN CONVENES MEETING TO PROMOTE ABRAHAM LINCOLN NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA

Federal Legislation Would Honor Lincoln's Legacy in Central Illinois

U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) met with leaders from communities across Illinois today to discuss how to move forward on the plan to formally tie together Illinois' natural, historic, cultural and recreational resources touched by the life and influence of the nation's sixteenth President now that the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum and Library are officially open.

"Our goal is to bind the various elements of Lincoln's life spread throughout Illinois into a tangible experience of Lincoln's legacy," said Durbin. "We want the families who plan to go to the Presidential Museum and Library to extend their trips, or come back again, and visit several of the other historic Lincoln sites throughout the region."

Durbin and Rep. Ray LaHood (R-IL) have proposed legislation that builds on the successful Looking for Lincoln project (which began as an Illinois State Heritage Tourism Area in 1998) to establish an Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area. The legislation, re-introduced by Durbin and Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) in the Senate last week, would make federal grants available for preservation, education and economic development activities across the Heritage Area.

"Illinois, in both its physical and cultural landscapes, shaped Abraham Lincoln's character from youth to adulthood," said Durbin. "In his farewell address at Springfield, Lincoln said, 'To this place and the kindness of these people I owe everything.' Just as Illinois left its mark on the character of Abraham Lincoln, Lincoln left his lasting impressions on our State's artifacts, landscapes, buildings and folklore. Establishing a Lincoln National Heritage Area will bind these scattered elements into a tangible experience of Lincoln's legacy for Illinoisans and visitors alike."

"As we approach the bicentennial of Lincoln's birth in 2009, the focus of the world will increasingly be on Springfield and the entire State of Illinois," said LaHood. "The Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum is the cornerstone of the Lincoln experience in Illinois, but the Looking for Lincoln program is the vehicle which will allow the citizens of the world to travel throughout the state to learn more about our favorite son. I look forward to continuing my work with Senator Durbin, both on the Bicentennial Commission and in our efforts to establish the Lincoln Heritage Area."

The Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area would encompass an area spanning 41 Central Illinois counties, including Presidential sites in Springfield as well as other notable sites including the Lincoln-Douglas Debate Museum in Charleston, the Macon County Log Courthouse in Decatur and the Carl Sandburg Home State Historic Site in Galesburg.

The legislation protects private property rights and would not require any private citizen or entity to be affiliated with the Lincoln Heritage Area. The bill names the Looking for Lincoln Heritage Coalition as the management authority for the National Heritage Area, but does not grant any zoning or land use power to the Coalition.

Up to $10 million in federal grants would be available under this legislation, with no more than $1 million awarded in any single year. Any amount awarded for Lincoln National Heritage Area activities must be matched dollar-for-dollar in state, local or private funds.

Excerpts from Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area Act (S. 973)

"The story and example of Lincoln's life - his inspiring rise from humble origins to the highest office in the land, and his decisive leadership through the most harrowing and dangerous time in our Nation's history, continues to bring hope and inspiration to millions in our country and around the world. Illinois is known throughout the world as the land of Abraham Lincoln. Unquestionably, the physical, social, and cultural landscape of Illinois helped mold Lincoln's character. ‘‘Here I have lived a quarter of a century, and have passed from a young to an old man,'' Lincoln remarked on leaving. ‘‘To this place and the kindness of these people I owe everything''. Lincoln, in turn, left his own traces across the Illinois landscape. They remain today in the form of stories, folklore, artifacts, buildings, streetscapes, and landscapes. Though scattered geographically and in varying states of development and interpretation, together they bring an immediacy and tangible quality to the powerful Lincoln legacy. Individually and collectively, they constitute an important national cultural and historic resource. Communities throughout this region know the value of their Lincoln legacy, but need to expand upon an existing cooperative framework and technical assistance to achieve important goals by working together."

The Heritage Area includes the following counties in Central Illinois: Adams, Brown, Calhoun, Cass, Champaign, Christian, Clark, Coles, Cumberland, Dewitt, Douglas, Edgar, Fayette, Fulton, Greene, Hancock, Henderson, Jersey, Knox, LaSalle, Logan, McLean, McDonough, Macon, Macoupin, Madison, Mason, Menard, Montgomery, Morgan, Moultrie, Peoria, Piatt, Pike, Sangamon, Schuyler, Scott, Shelby, Tazwell, Vermillion, Warren and Woodford Counties.

The Heritage Area includes the following sites: • Lincoln Home National Historic Site • Lincoln Tomb State Historic Site • Lincoln's New Salem State Historic Site • Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum • Thomas and Sara Bush Lincoln Log Cabin and Living History Farm State Historic Site • Mt. Pulaski, Postville State Historic Sites and Metamora Courthouse • Lincoln-Herndon Law Offices State Historic Site • David Davis Mansion State Historic Site • Vandalia Statehouse State Historic Site • Lincoln Douglas Debate Museum • Macon County Log Court House • Richard J. Oglesby Mansion • Lincoln Trail Homestead State Memorial • Governor John Wood Mansion • Beardstown Courthouse • Old Main at Knox College • Carl Sandburg Home State Historic Site • Bryant Cottage State Historic Site • Dr. William Fithian Home • Vermillion County Museum

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