Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum News


	For Immediate Release:	Contact: Jill Burwitz (ALPLM) (217) 558-8970 office (217) 299-6165 cell October 19, 2005
	Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum Marks Six Month Anniversary With Another Visitor Record SPRINGFIELD, IL: October 19th marks six months since President George W. Bush, Governor Rod Blagojevich, and other distinguished guests participated in the official opening of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum. This morning, museum officials welcomed Jeanette Millar of Denver, Colorado as the 400,000th visitor. "When we opened the doors to the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum just six months ago, we brought Lincoln's story to life. Since that beautiful April morning, hundreds of thousands of people from around the world have come to this world class museum to learn about a man born in the most common of surroundings, yet destined to become the most uncommon of leaders. Here, visitors learn Lincoln's story like never before and leave with a greater appreciation of America's 16th president," said Governor Blagojevich. "The overwhelming success of the last six months is due to the hard work and huge standards of a whole lot of people whose names you never read in the press," said Richard Norton Smith, Executive Director of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum. "Ticket takers, custodial crews, library assistants and hundreds of wonderful volunteers ‚ they are the ALPLM for our visitors." The 400,000 visitors are not just from right here in Illinois, but from almost every state in the nation. Foreign guests include Germany, England, Australia and Japan, to name a few. School children also make up a significant portion of visitors. Many schools have crossed state lines to expand their knowledge of Lincoln. A look back reveals a host of events that helped shape and define the first six months of the museum. They include the spectacular 'Blood on the Moon' exhibit on the Lincoln assassination; a two-day scholarly conference featuring the world's foremost Lincoln scholars; raising over $50,000 for Hurricane Katrina victims and the first in a series of 'Evenings to Remember,' this one tapping the memories of former Illinois Governor Jim Thompson. Also reaching a milestone is the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library, which opened its doors to the public one year ago on October 14, 2004. During that time, over 80,000 people have visited the library ‚ roughly twenty times the number in its last full year beneath the Old State Capitol. Looking ahead, the Museum anticipates as many as 600,000 visitors by April 19, 2006. Upcoming events that are sure to prove popular include the November 25th debut of a new, temporary exhibit 'Christmas at the White House,' the Inaugural Jim Edgar Lecture Series featuring David McCullough, the Inaugural Governor's Conference Series in November examining the life and legacy of Adlai Stevenson, plus a blockbuster temporary exhibit on America's First Ladies, opening in May, 2006. ### << Back to Press Releases