This month will mark a very proud moment for our state and for our industry — the opening of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum (ALPM). Culminating many years of hard work and dedication from a wide array of community leaders, it also provides an opportunity for us to fully celebrate the notion of Illinois as the “Land of Lincoln.” It’s an identification that we embrace in Illinois tourism and one that is relevant to visitors worldwide.

I’d like to personally invite each of you to attend the many grand opening celebrations taking place from Saturday, April 16, through Tuesday, April 19. Along with historic block parties in downtown Springfield and previews of the museum, the public dedication on April 19 will be an event to remember. Governor Blagojevich will join a host of state and national leaders to honor President Lincoln and commemorate his legacy.

Though we’re all aware of his legacy, the museum provides us with a fresh new opportunity to drive home the fact that one of our greatest presidents called Illinois his home. Visitors to the ALPM may want to continue their Lincoln excursion through the “Looking for Lincoln” tours throughout Central Illinois. These tours include two-day to four-day trips to Springfield, Bloomington, Charleston, Decatur and other towns with prominent Lincoln attractions. It’s only natural that, after a day at the museum, travelers will want to visit the actual places where Lincoln lived and worked. More information is available by visiting www.enjoyillinois.com.

The museum itself truly is a sight to behold. The exhibits are state-of-the-art and immersive. From a 4,700-square-foot plaza, visitors enter Lincoln’s life at one of two points in his life, before his presidency and then during the presidency. In these journeys visitors will find recreations of the Lincoln-Douglas debates, Lincoln’s boyhood home, the Lincoln White House, a contemporary portrayal of the 1860 campaign, a slave auction and much more. In addition, in the Treasures Gallery many artifacts will be on display for the first time, including the Emancipation Proclamation written in Lincoln’s hand, the 13th Amendment abolishing slavery and the Gettysburg Address.

This is only the beginning of the experiences visitors will encounter, however 3,000 square feet of space is set aside for temporary exhibits that run the gamut from America’s First Ladies to the architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright. The first temporary exhibit, “Blood on the Moon,” will run from April 16 through October 16 and commemorates the 140th anniversary of Lincoln’s assassination.

The library portion of the complex has been open since October 2004. Housing a deep well of research material on Lincoln and the state of Illinois, it has quickly become a valuable resource for historians and scholars from around the country. The library contains approximately 89,000 microfilm reels of more than 300 newspapers, some dating back to as early as 1814. Additionally, thousands of original manuscripts, photos, films and audio histories are available for research purposes.

Governor Blagojevich may have summed it up best when he said, “This world-class institution will help us learn about and appreciate Illinois’ most famous son and shared national history. The new museum will enhance the quality of life for the state’s residents and visitors alike while raising Springfield’s and Illinois’ national profile.”

I’m sure that you will agree with me that this opening will provide a tremendous opportunity to place the spotlight on Illinois tourism. IBOT has been an active participant in promoting and advertising the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum. We invite all our industry partners to get involved in this historic moment. This month, the eyes of the world will be on Illinois. Let’s show them the best of the Land of Lincoln.

Sincerely,