Chicago Park District and Lincoln Park Conservancy Celebrate America 250 with the Unveiling of the Restored Lincoln the Man Monument in South Lincoln Park on July 4th at 10 AM

More than 300 guests are expected to attend the rededication ceremony of the 12-foot bronze statue of the 16th President of the United States and Illinois Congressman, originally dedicated in 1887; Event will also officially launch new initiative to enhance Chicago Park District’s public art collection

CHICAGO, IL –– On July 4th at 10 a.m., the Chicago Park District and the Lincoln Park Conservancy will proudly pay tribute to America 250 with the rededication of one of Chicago’s most significant works of public art, Lincoln the Man. The event in celebration of the restoration of the 12-foot monument of the 16th President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln, will also officially launch the next chapter of the city’s public artwork, the Chicago Park District's Sculptural Diversification Project.

“We believe there can be no more fitting way to celebrate America 250 than by preserving the places and monuments that connect us to our past while embracing our nation’s beautiful, complex, and ever-evolving story,” said Chicago Park District General Superintendent and CEO, Carlos Ramirez-Rosa. “The story of Lincoln the Man reminds us that the sculptures and monuments throughout our parks are an essential part of our shared civic memory, which must be cared for with honesty and intellectual curiosity. That is why the Chicago Park District is proud to advance two important initiatives that will help shape the future of public art in Chicago: the Monument Response Project and the Sculptural Diversification Project.”

Through the Monument Response Project, the Park District is working with artists, historians, scholars, and communities to thoughtfully connect people to history and develop new forms of interpretation and artistic engagement of our monument collection in parks citywide. In effect, the restoration of Lincoln the Man will feature new interpretive signage and educational programming being developed in collaboration with the Chicago History Museum to provide visitors with a deeper understanding of the individual being honored and to inspire further dialogue.

As part of broader public art engagement efforts, including the Monument Response Project, the Park District is also launching the Sculptural Diversification Project to expand the stories represented throughout our parks by commissioning new public art or recontextualizing artwork that reflects the extraordinary diversity of Chicago and of the American experience.

Public engagement is underway for four initial recommendations for new art pieces and interventions to current artwork. These pieces include new commissions of a Pedro Albizu Campos Sculpture at Humboldt Park and a Frederick and Anna Douglass Sculpture at Douglass Park as well as reinterpretation of the Melville Fuller Bust at Fuller Park and the American History Series at Sherman Park.

Monument Restoration Efforts

Originally dedicated in 1887 before a crowd of 10,000 people, including members of the President’s family, Lincoln the Man is one of Chicago's most significant public monuments in honor of President Abraham Lincoln, and a great achievement of American sculpture.

The Chicago Park District in partnership with the Lincoln Park Conservatory’s fundraising efforts, contributed $360,000 to restore this piece of American history. As part of the repairs, special attention was placed on the statue, orbs, and stone exedra as well as the bronze surface and the deteriorated protective wax treatment. Additional work included, the removal of failed caulking and a new backer rod, sealant and stone joints. Lighting was also replaced to complete the restoration efforts that started the week of April 27.

"The Lincoln Park Conservancy is thankful to be able to partner with the Chicago Park District and Chicago History Museum for the July 4th rededication event revealing the restored Lincoln the Man statue in South Lincoln Park. The restoration project is the first phase in a larger renewal project at the southern end of the park,” said Lincoln Park Conservancy Executive Director, Lauren Robinson. “This has been a true public-private partnership with support for the park renewal project also coming from Alderman Hopkins, Alderman Knudsen, State Senator Feigenholtz, State Representative Croke, Congressman Quigley, the Gold Coast Neighbors Association, and countless generous neighbors and local companies and foundations. As we celebrate our nation's 250th anniversary, we are thrilled to rededicate this historically and artistically significant monument that stands as a lasting tribute to the 16th President of the United States and to collaborate in broadening our understanding of the Legacy of Lincoln."

History of the Monument

Eli Bates, a Chicago-based businessman, generously bequeathed $40,000 in his will for the creation of the bronze sculpture crafted by acclaimed artist Augustus Saint-Gaudens in 1887. This monument, also referred to as Standing Lincoln, is considered the most definitive public example of Lincoln’s likeness due to its naturalism and redefining of the relationship between the viewer and the monument.

The monument was first enhanced in 1989, and a formal French garden, benches, trees, and stone paths followed soon after. In 2001, the 12-foot tribute was designated a Chicago Landmark, but its condition has steadily deteriorated over the last three decades, and experts identified it as one of Chicago’s public artworks in most critical need of restoration.