Press Release - Thursday, November 07, 2013
Press Releases
No Data
Governor Quinn Announces $633,000 Restoration Project at Lincoln Tomb
SPRINGFIELD – Governor Pat Quinn today announced a capital investment of more than $633,000 to repair and restore the interior of Lincoln Tomb State Historic Site in Springfield’s Oak Ridge Cemetery.
“Lincoln Tomb is the main reason that Oak Ridge is the second most visited cemetery in the nation, behind Arlington National Cemetery,” Governor Quinn said. “It’s vital that we keep the tomb in top condition to accommodate the hundreds of thousands of people who visit the 16th President’s final resting place each year, including those who will visit for the 150th anniversary of his death in 2015.”
The project will address all of the interior finishes at the tomb that have deteriorated or been damaged over the years and restore those finishes. These include decorative plaster moldings, stippled painting, granite wall panels and brass plaques. New interior lighting will also be installed. The work will begin December 1 and the interior of Lincoln Tomb will be closed until the project is complete in early March, although the exterior of the tomb will be available for visitors during that time. The general restoration work will be performed by R.D. Lawrence Construction Company, Ltd. of Springfield for $555,321. The electrical work will be done by B & B Electric, Inc. of Springfield for $78,000. The project will be managed by the Illinois Capital Development Board (CDB).
In recent years CDB has managed approximately $900,000 worth of projects at Lincoln Tomb. These have included the installation of a new roof deck and waterproofing materials to alleviate water infiltration, and the installation of a geothermal heating and cooling system for the site.
“It’s an honor and a privilege to be involved in restoring one of the world’s most significant Lincoln sites,” CDB Director Jim Underwood said. “Keeping Lincoln Tomb in top shape means people from across the globe can continue to make the journey to Springfield and be inspired by Lincoln’s legacy.”
Dedicated in 1874, the 117-foot-tall Lincoln Tomb, designed by renowned sculptor Larkin Mead, is the final resting place of Abraham Lincoln, his wife Mary, and three of their four sons, Edward, William, and Thomas. The eldest son, Robert T. Lincoln, is buried in Arlington National Cemetery. Also on the site is the public receiving vault, constructed circa 1860, the scene of funeral services for Abraham Lincoln on May 4, 1865. In 1960 the Tomb was designated a National Historic Landmark and was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1966. The Lincoln Tomb State Historic Site is administered by the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency (IHPA).
“The tomb is an inspiring monument where visitors can contemplate President Lincoln's accomplishments. It cannot be allowed to deteriorate, especially when thousands of additional visitors will tour the site in 2015 for the 150th anniversary of Lincoln's funeral,” IHPA Director Amy Martin said.
This project is part of Governor Quinn’s $31 billion Illinois Jobs Now! program, which will support more than 439,000 jobs over six years. Illinois Jobs Now! is the largest capital construction program in Illinois history, and is one of the largest capital construction programs in the nation.
Press Releases
No Data