Celebrating 100 Years - Lincoln Farm as a National Park 1916 to 2016

Construction of the Memorial Building, circa 1910

NPS

News Release Date: July 8, 2016

Contact: Stacy Humphreys, 270-358-3137

Contact: Iris LaRue, 270-358-3163

Capture the essence of Lincoln's impact on our United States at a centennial celebration in Hodgenville, Kentucky.  The Lincoln Farm was designated a national park on July 17, 1916.  This year on July 16 - 17, 2016, Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park celebrates 100 years.  All park events are open to the public and free of charge.

"Today we are one country instead of two, thanks to Abraham Lincoln," said Superintendent Jay Grass.  "Five presidents have paid homage to Lincoln's humble birthplace.  We will host living history presentations to recreate the sense of honor and respect due to our 16th president at our Centennial celebration.  Please join us!

Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Dwight D. Eisenhower and Abraham Lincoln will be the center of attention.  Visitors can experience the presidents' historic speeches and interact with the commanders in chief.  Mark Twain, one of the primary supporters of making Lincoln's birthplace a national park, will also make a formal presentation and chat with visitors.  Photo ops?  Of course!  Take a selfie with one president or all!

"The community established this park and the entire community is celebrating 100 years," added Grass.  "The Lincoln Museum has a special photo exhibit, there will be a wreath laying ceremony on the square, a classic car cruise and the Woman's Club is recreating the 1954 dinner it served to President Eisenhower."

Tentative schedule is as follows:

Saturday, July 16, 2016:

9 - 10 a.m.  All presidents at the Birthplace for meet and greet with the public.  Photo ops with the
 presidents.

10:30 - 11 a.m. All presidents at Lincoln Museum, downtown Hodgenville

12 noon  Wreath laying ceremony at the Lincoln statue, Hodgenville town square

12:30 p.m.  Motorcade from downtown to Birthplace

1 - 3 p.m.  Celebrating 100 Years - Centennial main event
 Historic reenactments of Presidential visits to Lincoln Birthplace:
Mark Twain by Curtis O'Dell
Theodore Roosevelt by Adam Lindquist
Franklin Delano Roosevelt by Gary Stamm
Dwight D. Eisenhower by Kenneth Hammontree
Abraham Lincoln by Jim Sayre

Music by the Heartland Brass Quintet

3:15 - 4 p.m.  All presidents at the Birthplace for meet and greet with the public.  Photo ops with the
presidents.

6:30 p.m. Historic Eisenhower dinner at the Woman's Club in Hodgenville ($50 per plate)

Sunday, July 17, 2016

9 - 11:45 a.m. Presidents at the Birthplace: presentations, conversations, photo ops

1- 3 p.m. Presidents at the Lincoln Museum, downtown Hodgenville

3:45 - 4:30 p.m.  Presidents at the Birthplace

Abraham Lincoln Birthplace NHP is open daily 8:00 a.m. - 6:45 p.m.

Knob Creek Boyhood Home Unit is open daily 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Lincoln Museum open Monday - Saturday 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.; Sunday 12:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

All times listed are Eastern Time.

For more information on the Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park, visit the park's website at: https://www.nps.gov/abli or the park's Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/LincolnBirthplaceNPS.