Abraham Lincoln Monument (Ypsilanti, Michigan) facts for kids
The Abraham Lincoln Memorial is a special statue of Abraham Lincoln made from limestone. You can find it in front of Lincoln Middle School. This school is part of the Lincoln Consolidated School District, about 6 miles (10 km) south of Ypsilanti, Michigan.
Contents
About the Statue
The statue of Abraham Lincoln is very large, standing 9 feet 8 inches (3 meters) tall. It's bigger than a real person! On either side of Lincoln, there are two smaller groups of figures. One group leans on a symbol called a fasces, which looks like a bundle of rods. The other group shows a figure with broken chains, which can represent freedom.
How the Statue Was Made
The idea for this statue came from an artist named Samuel Cashwan. He worked for a government program called the Federal Art Project in Michigan. Mr. Cashwan visited Lincoln School to check on some murals painted by Leon Makielski and his brother. While there, he suggested that he could create a statue if the students helped with the building work.
The students were very involved! Mr. Cashwan carved the statue in three parts. The junior high boys dug the hole for the base. The senior high students poured the concrete to make it strong. Then, all the students worked together to lay the grass and plant decorations around the sculpture.
Unveiling the Memorial
The Abraham Lincoln Memorial was officially shown to the public on May 4, 1938. This date was chosen because it was the anniversary of Lincoln’s burial. It was a proud moment for everyone involved, especially the students who helped build it.
Challenges Over Time
Like many outdoor artworks, the statue has faced some challenges over the years. Sadly, parts of Lincoln's face were damaged, and paint was poured on the statue. Despite these challenges, the memorial continues to stand as a tribute to Abraham Lincoln.
Images for kids
-
This picture shows some damage to Lincoln's nose.
-
A closer look at the statue's details.
-
Another detailed view of the memorial.
