CLAY MODEL OF PRESIDENT ABRAHAM LINCOLN UNVEILED AND MEMORIAL HALL AUDITORIUM RENAMED THE "LINCOLN LYCEUM"
(Rockford IL) – Monday, May 25, 2009 was an exciting day at Memorial Hall. Chairman Scott Christiansen along with local Lincoln Historian Atty. Tom Johnson, commissioned Sculptor John McClarey, and President Abraham Lincoln, himself (portrayed by Mr. George Buss), spoke to a full crowd in the Veteran's Memorial Hall Lincoln Lyceum.
Chairman Scott Christiansen announced the renaming, by County Board Resolution, of the Veteran's Memorial Hall Auditorium as the Lincoln Lyceum. Atty. Johnson defined Mr. Lincoln's importance and connections to Winnebago County. Sculptor John McClarey spoke on the personal interpretation each person experiences as they view a sculpture; and then the moment we had all been waiting for---the unveiling of the bust. Mr. McClarey, assisted by Chairman Scott Christiansen, began the process of the unveiling. The height made it a challenge to remove the draping. How fitting that Mr. Lincoln himself rose out of his chair and was the only one on the stage tall enough to finally unveil the bust. The magnificence of the bust brought a gasp from everyone in the room and then the loud applause was our citizen's endorsement of this exquisite piece of art. Although still in clay model form, every detail spoke of the "Iron Determination" of our 16th President.
How could anything top the unveiling? The reading of the Gettysburg Address did just that. Mr. Lincoln slowly made his way to the center of the stage. It was as if Lincoln's spirit had entered the building and was reading the Address for the first time. You could have heard a pin drop. For a brief moment we were transported back in time to that historic moment when the 16th President of the United States gave his memorable Address---tears filled many eyes, standing in awe, the final applause rang on. You had to be there to understand and feel the moment. History was recreated on Memorial Day, May 25, 2009 in Veteran's Memorial Hall.
September 27, 2009 will be another historic moment as the final Bronze Bust of Abraham Lincoln will be unveiled in the Abraham Lincoln Courthouse Square Garden at the NW corner of South Church Street & Elm Street. Details will follow at a later date.
A special Lincoln exhibit will continue at Veterans Memorial Hall through the year.
Veterans Memorial Hall receives new items for its Abraham Lincoln exhibit.
May - December
Winnebago County and the staff of Veterans Memorial Hall invite the community to experience its expanded collection of Abraham Lincoln artifacts. Recently Veterans Memorial Hall received many interesting Lincoln artifacts. We will continue to exhibit Lincoln items as part of the bicentennial of President Lincoln’s birth for the remainder of 2009. President Lincoln inspired many Winnebago County residents to answer his call for volunteer’s to fight for our union. Most veterans from that time felt a certain kinship with the nation’s 16th president. Because of this feeling, many items related to Abraham Lincoln have been donated to Veterans Memorial Hall, some from the original civil war veterans. Upon returning from service local veterans wanted a place to meet and display items relevant to their service as well as honor their fellow veterans. In 1903, Winnebago County residents opened the doors on its memorial to area veterans. After years of waiting, the local Civil War Veterans realized their dream to honor Winnebago County veterans. Thus began Veterans Memorial Hall's place in downtown Rockford, Illinois.
Rockford Products donates World War II Roll of Honor display.
Rockford Products president, Richard Mowris along with Barb Sutherland present this beautiful Roll of Honor to Veterans Memorial Hall. Veterans Memorial Hall is pleased to accept this historic donation listing Rockford Products employees that served our county during World War II. This Roll of Honor is now on permanent display in our lower level. . We invite the public to visit Memorial Hall to view an important part of Rockford history and help us to gather information on every person listed. Since it 1903 the hall has listed the names of area veterans on its walls. We are also encouraging other local manufacturers to consider donating similar Roll of Honor displays to Veterans Memorial Hall.
NEW CURATOR SECURES HERITAGE PRESERVATION’S CONSERVATION ASSESSMENT PROGRAM GRANT
Veterans Memorial Hall’s Curator, Leah Nelson has secured a grant from Heritage Preservation The National Institute for Conservation to assess Veterans Memorial Hall and its collection. The grant allocation of $7190.00 will be added to the estimated $670.00 raised by the Veterans Memorial Hall Board of Trustees to bring two assessors on site. This assessment will provide an overview of all the museums collections and facility thus allowing Veterans Memorial Hall’s management to create a plan to best preserves the building and its artifacts. Veterans Memorial Hall’s have been awarded grants in the past from different sources to facilitate partnership with the Library of Congress in its effort to record the oral history of living veterans thru its Veterans History Project.
Heritage Preservation's CAP is supported through a cooperative agreement with the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services. CAP assists museums by providing funds for professional conservation and preservation specialists to identify the conservation needs of their collections and historic buildings and recommend ways to correctly improve collections and building conditions.
Leah Nelson joined the staff of Veterans Memorial Hall as Curator June 3rd 2008. With the knowledge and expertise Ms. Nelson brings to the job, Veterans Memorial Hall will use this opportunity to find the best solutions to manage and preserve its collection. The hall continues to receive artifact donations and is proud of its stewardship of these historic items. If you have items to donate please contact Leah.
Veterans Memorial Hall has been open to the public since 1903 honoring the veterans of the region. The Hall is home to the offices of the Veterans Assistance Commission and the Disabled American Veterans. Many other veterans’ organizations meet at the hall as well. Veterans Memorial Hall is host to many forums and is available for rental to public and private groups for meetings and special events. Public tours are available weekdays from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm with other hours by appointment.
