SPRINGFIELD – A 6’4’’ statue of a young Abraham Lincoln will soon be unveiled on the University of Illinois Springfield campus.
The unveiling celebrates the addition of a new Lincoln-centered landmark on the University’s campus, home of the Chancellor Naomi B. Lynn Distinguished Chair for Lincoln Studies and the annual Lincoln Legacy Lectures, as well as the seminal host of the Papers of Abraham Lincoln.
This new statue was sculpted by artist George Lundeen, who is known for specializing in detailed, highly polished bronzes of subjects. Some of his other works include Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson. He is most known for his sculpture of Red Grange that sits outside Memorial Stadium on the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign campus.
According to university officials, the statue was funded by the John N. Chester Estate Fund, which aims to add attractiveness to the University of Illinois campuses.
Some speakers at the unveiling include Chancellor Susan J. Koch, University of Illinois President Timothy Killeen, along with the artist himself.
This unveiling to open to the public and will take place on the UIS quad, between University Hall and the Public Affairs Center at 11 AM on Tuesday, May 10. The event is casual and business casual. A reception will follow the remarks and unveiling.
