The Lincoln Monument Association

Created to promote citizen awareness of the historical heritage of the Lincoln Tomb and War Memorials State Historic Site within Oak Ridge Cemetery in Springfield, Illinois. The Association’s goal is to support interpretative and educational programs, preservation efforts, special events and demonstrations, volunteer programs and the continued care of the historic site.

The original monument association, named The National Lincoln Monument Association, was started, immediately after President Lincoln’s assassination and death in April 1865, to raise awareness and funds for his final resting place “which would fitly illustrate his virtues and renoun”. Donations and contributions were collected from across America’s citizenry over the next several years that fueled a design contest for the martyred President’s memorial. A design by Larkin G. Mead, of Brattleboro, Vermont, was selected and construction began in 1868. The Lincoln Monument was dedicated by President Ulysses S. Grant on October 15, 1874. The original Lincoln Monument Association continued until the last member passed away in 1894 when it was disbanded and the tomb passed into the ownership and care of the State of Illinois.

The site, having fallen into disrepair since being dedicated due to not being built upon bedrock, was reconstructed between 1899 and 1901. The President’s remains were buried for the final time on September 26, 1901 within an in-ground vault sealed in concrete. A second reconstruction was done in 1930-31 to permit interior access to the burial chamber by the visiting public. President Herbert Hoover presided over dedication ceremonies on June 17, 1931. Little has changed with and within the tomb until 2008 when the plaza area outside the tomb was redesigned and constructed. Additionally, in 2010-11, the State of Illinois installed geo-thermal system for ecologically responsible and sustainable heating and cooling resources.

The War Memorials were founded over time by private organizations working with the State of Illinois to honor those fallen in battle in World War II, the Korean War and in the Vietnam War. The Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial was the first memorial dedicated in 1988. The Korean War Memorial followed in 1996 and the memorial commemorating World War II was dedicated in 2004.