Lincoln Bicentennial Project

To commemorate the Illinois bicentennial, the Illinois Judges Association and Illinois Judges Foundation boards,  the Illinois State Bar Association and Illinois Bar Foundation boards and the Illinois State Historical Society approved a joint project to oversee and pay for the installation of a magnificent photograph of lawyer Abraham Lincoln in every one of the state’s 102 counties by the end of 2018.

The lifelike canvas photograph in a rich stained-wood frame is a clear and commanding portrait of Lincoln at 30” x 40”. Lincoln considered the photograph his favorite.

The Illinois State Historical Society owns the glass-plate positive image made from a long gone original negative. The beardless Lincoln sat for the Chicago photographer Alexander Hesler on June 3, 1860, at the Old State Capital in Springfield.  Anyone who has seen the reproduction will agree with the ISHS that it “is perhaps the finest pre-presidential image of Lincoln ever taken.” 

The portraits are to be placed in public view for years to come, recalling   Lincoln the lawyer, the leader, and the man, as well as our participating organizations.

CLICK PORTRAITS TO VIEW PRESENTATIONS AT COURTHOUSES

 

 In The News

‘Iconic’ Lincoln portrait given to county

La Salle County Courthouse unveils Abraham Lincoln portrait

 Piatt County unveils portrait of Lincoln as part of Illinois Bicentennial

Peoria, Tazewell County among Illinois courthouses to get Lincoln portrait

Abraham Lincoln Portrait Unveiled in the Criminal Court Tower

Carroll County receives Lincoln portrait

 Presidential portrait unveiled in Dixon

Celebrated Lincoln Portrait Adorns Courtroom Walls

Lincoln portrait to be presented at Saline, Williamson Co. courthouses

Historic Lincoln photo print arriving at Marshall County

 Lincoln portrait to hang in Effingham courtroom

Lincoln in Edwardsville: Portrait on display in courthouse

Madison County Courthouse Receives Famous Lincoln Portrait

Famous Lincoln portrait on display at courthouse

Abraham Lincoln portraits from 1860 being given to all Illinois county courthouses

 Abe was no stranger to Putnam County