Looking for Lincoln

Galesburg joins National Heritage Area

Wednesday, May 11, 2005

By JOHN R. PULLIAM

The Register-Mail

GALESBURG - Two sites in Galesburg are included in the Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area and would be eligible for federal grants if legislation introduced last week in the U.S. Senate by Sens. Dick Durbin and Barack Obama is approved.

Durbin met with community leaders earlier this month to discuss how to tie together the Lincoln sites.

Knox College's Old Main, the last remaining building at a site of one of 1858's Lincoln-Douglas debates, as well as the Carl Sandburg Home State Historic Site, are in the Heritage Area.

Steve Holden, the Sandburg site interpreter, likes the idea.

"I think it would be real good for Galesburg," he said.

Karrie Heartlein, director of public relations at Knox College, said the legislation "sounds like a fabulous way to bring all of the Lincoln sites together."

She said once the renovation of Alumni Hall is completed - the building will house the Lincoln Study Center and an Underground Railroad Museum - the Heritage Area will be especially beneficial, giving people "a chance to walk in Lincoln's footsteps."

No date has been set for completion of the Alumni Hall renovation.

Rep. Ray LaHood, R-Peoria, who proposed the legislation in the House, said, "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."

The Looking for Lincoln project began as an Illinois State Heritage Tourism Area in 1998.

The legislation introduced last week would make up to $10 million in federal grants available, with no more than $1 million awarded in any year. All grants must be matched dollar-for-dollar in state, local or private funds.

Local Connection

Area counties in Lincoln Heritage Area:
- Knox

- Warren

- Henderson

- Fulton

- McDonough