Union Pacific Railroad Donates $50,000 to Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum

CHICAGO -- First Lady Lura Lynn Ryan today accepted a $50,000 donation from the Union Pacific Railroad Company for the construction and operation of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum.

With this commitment from Union Pacific, private donations to the new Library and Museum now total $4.55 million.

Mike Payette, assistant vice president of government affairs for the central region of Union Pacific, presented Mrs. Ryan with the company's donation.

"I'm very encouraged by the continued support that the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum is getting from Illinois' corporate citizens. The Union Pacific has a long history in our state and played a key role in the growth and development of Illinois. Today Union Pacific is making another contribution to our history," Mrs. Ryan said.

The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum is a $115 million project that will be funded by the State of Illinois, the City of Springfield, the federal government and private donations. The complex will house the world's largest collection of Lincoln artifacts and documents, as well as exhibits that bring Lincoln's legacy to life.

The Library and Museum complex will be located in downtown Springfield, a few blocks from several important historic sites, including Illinois' Old State Capitol, his former law offices and the only home he ever owned.