The portico of the Illinois State Memorial features a "golden" one-ton bronze eagle. The eagle received preservation
treatment in April of 1996 as it was cleaned and regilded in gold leaf. Private funding
for the restoration effort was provided by the Civil War Roundtables from the greater
Chicago area.
The Illinois State Seal is a mosaic, which was created with colorful tiles.
Sixty bronze tablets encircle the inside of the memorial.
The tablets identify the names of the 36,325 soldiers from Illinois
that served in the Vicksburg Campaign.
As you enter the Illinois State Memorial and look up, you will see a wide opening at
the top of the dome. But the floor and the inside of the memorial do not get wet from
precipitation. This is a result of air pressure, which forces air in through the door and
out through the opening at the top of the dome. Rain is deflected by the natural
circulation of air through the structure.
Last update: Friday, February 16, 2001
http://www.nps.gov/vick/il/il_cu.htm
Editor: G. Zeman
