February 8, 2024 – The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum will host a free day of fun Feb. 10 to mark Lincoln’s birthday, honor his love of reading, and celebrate the ALPLM earning national accreditation.
Admission will be free all day, starting at 9 a.m., and then the museum will host a Literacy Jam from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The museum will collect donations of children’s books, welcome special guests to read stories, and offer music and activities for kids. Finally, after a ceremony to mark the ALPLM’s accreditation, the event will close with cake for all and an explosion of streamers.
The ALPLM will also offer free admission on Monday, Feb. 12, Lincoln’s actual birth date.
The Lincolns4Lincoln literacy Jam will include:
- Cast members from the musicals “Finding Nemo” and “Winnie the Pooh” reading stories and performing songs.
- Tater Tots Rock sharing their special brand of rock & roll for the junior set.
- Jenna Snow, author of a book about her service dog Koa, reading from her book and letting kids meet her dog.
- Jacobsen Woollen from the Illinois Symphony Orchestra performing a special piece and offering a show-and-tell of musical instruments
- Magician Richard Landry
Visitors can also donate children’s books for the “Compass for Kids” program. More information about how to help can be found at www.compassforkids.org/lincolns-4-Lincoln.
“Abraham Lincoln loved books and understood their power to change lives. That’s why we celebrate his birthday by encouraging children to read. We hope parents and caregivers from all over will bring their little ones on this special day,” said Christina Shutt, executive director of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum. “This year, we have something extra to celebrate – the ALPLM has been granted national accreditation, which certifies that we follow all the best practices as we share the history of Lincoln and Illinois.”
Only about 3.2 percent of museums are accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. Qualifying involves months or even years of internal preparation and then evaluation by the alliance. The ALPLM was among the few museums to receive accreditation on its first try.
