August 4, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Lincoln Wayside Exhibits Installed
DECATUR - Ten of the City’s 15 Looking for Lincoln Wayside Exhibits have been installed in Downtown Decatur in time for thousands of Decatur Celebration visitors to experience the wealth of Abraham Lincoln history that Decatur has to offer.
The exhibits were delivered late last month and detail time spent in Decatur by America’s 16th President. The signs will help both residents and visitors better identify the City’s Lincoln connection in and around the downtown area, boosting tourism as we continue the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial celebration.
A map of each of the exhibits is attached.
Few people know that Decatur has more Lincoln history than any other city in Illinois outside Springfield. Mr. Lincoln lived in Macon County when he first came to Illinois, practiced law, made his first political speech and was first nominated for President in Decatur and the surrounding area, among other things.
Funding for this round of exhibits was made possible by a grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development, with strong support from Illinois Senator Dick Durbin in combination with local and private funding sources. For more information on the Lincoln Heritage Area and the Looking for Lincoln Story Trail, go to: www.lookingforlincoln.com.
For more information contact Billy Tyus at 424-2753.