Statue of Abraham Lincoln (Hodgenville, Kentucky) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Lincoln, Abraham, Statue
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 Location in Kentucky
Location in the United States
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| Location | Public Square, Hodgenville, Kentucky |
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| Built | 1909 |
| Architect | Weinmann, Adolph |
| MPS | Larue County MPS |
| NRHP reference No. | 90001972 |
| Added to NRHP | January 10, 1991 |
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The Abraham Lincoln Statue is an important historical statue. You can find it in the public square of Hodgenville, Kentucky. This town is famous because it's near where Abraham Lincoln was born. The statue was created by a talented artist named Adolph Alexander Weinman. He also made another Lincoln statue in Frankfort, Kentucky, which is the state capital. The Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park is also very close by.
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Building the Statue
The idea for this statue came from the Lincoln Monument Commission. This group was led by Otis M. Mather. The Kentucky General Assembly, which is Kentucky's state government, asked them to create the statue in 1904.
The statue was built to celebrate 100 years since Abraham Lincoln's birth. He was born on February 12, 1809, just a few miles south of Hodgenville. The Commission decided that Hodgenville's public square was the perfect spot for the statue.
How It Was Paid For
Building a bronze statue costs money! The United States Congress gave $10,000 for the project. The Kentucky General Assembly added $5,000. The rest of the money came from people living in LaRue County, Kentucky.
The Dedication Ceremony
The statue was officially shown to the public on May 31, 1909. This event is called a dedication. Lincoln's own son, Robert Todd Lincoln, was there! Lincoln's sister-in-law, Mrs. Ben Hardin Helm, was the one who pulled off the cover to reveal the statue.
A famous speaker named Henry Watterson gave the main speech. Kentucky's governor at the time, Augustus E. Willson, officially accepted the statue for the state. More than 10,000 people came to watch this special ceremony.
What the Statue Looks Like
The statue is made of bronze and stands about 6 feet tall. It shows Lincoln sitting in a fancy chair. The chair is placed on a marble base. This marble base has stars carved into a pattern around it. The name "Lincoln" is spelled out in bronze letters on the front of the statue. There's even a copy of this statue at the University of Wisconsin–Madison.
On June 2, 1909, Robert Todd Lincoln wrote a letter. He thanked Otis Mather for building the statue to honor his father.
The Abraham Lincoln Statue was added to the National Register of Historic Places on January 10, 1991. This means it's recognized as an important historical site.
Images for kids
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The statue on the day of its unveiling on May 31, 1909
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The area around the statue.
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A copy of the statue at the University of Wisconsin–Madison.
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