GOLCONDA, Ill. - A high-quality reproduction of a famous Abraham Lincoln photograph will be presented to the Pope County Courthouse on Wednesday, September 5. The unveiling ceremony will take place at 2 p.m. at 310 E. Main St., Golconda.
The photograph was taken in Springfield by well-known photographer Alexander Hesler on June 3, 1860, for Lincoln’s 1860 presidential campaign. Historians consider Hesler’s portrait one of the best taken of Lincoln during his pre-presidential years.
The permanent installation is made possible by donations from the Illinois Judges Association (IJA), the Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA) and their respective foundations – the Illinois Judges Foundation and the Illinois Bar Foundation. Printed on canvas, the image of the beardless Lincoln is encased in a richly stained wood frame and measures 30-inches wide by 40-inches tall.
The four organizations are partnering with the Illinois State Historical Society (ISHS), which owns the glass-plate positives of Hesler’s Lincoln portrait. The ISHS is leading a statewide campaign to place a framed copy in a courthouse in each of Illinois’ 102 counties in commemoration of the state’s bicentennial this year.
“We are proud to be a part of this historic effort to honor one of our nation’s greatest leaders in the state he called home,” said Joe Leberman, judge of the First Judicial Circuit. “This photograph captures Lincoln on the cusp of his pivotal transition from attorney to presidential candidate.”
And don't forget (because apparently the word is slow getting out, since we didn't take it to our now-defunct Fecesbook page) - We're no longer producing the print version, so you won't be getting anymore copies in the mail. We will be refunding all print subscribers over the next several months, so watch the mail for your refund....and use it to subscribe to our online version, which is in the process of getting reworked and will be rolling out very soon!
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