LOOKING FOR LINCOLN
Looking
for Lincoln, a new Wayside Exhibit, has been placed in the Metamora
Village Park. This exhibit shows Lincoln as a circuit rider on the
eighth judicial circuit. It also features a photo of Lincoln which
was taken in Peoria, IL in 1858. We believe the photographer was
Roderick Cole. An early 1860s photo of the Metamora Courthouse and
the history of the noted Abraham Lincoln-Mrs. Melissa Goings trial
can be seen. This trial took place on October 10, 1857. A generous
gift from the Village of Metamora has made this exhibit possible in
2008.
The storyboards placed throughout the state tell the Lincoln
connnection in each of the villages that are part of the new Abraham
Lincoln National Heritage area. Contained on each storyboard is a
circular medallion which visitors can collect a rubbing of.
Two
life-sized bronze statues of Lincoln and Mrs. Goings sculptured by
John McClarey will be unveiled in the bicentennial year of Lincoln’s
birth, 2009. A brick paver walkway will lead from the wayside
exhibit pass the bronze statues to the Metamora Courthouse. The
statue project is a history project of the Woodford County
Historical Society. Both projects will compliment each other and
will be a tourist attraction for historic Metamora and its beautiful
park.
History and photo submitted by
Shirley A. Adams.
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