February 8, 2025 – The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum will mark President Abraham Lincoln’s birthday with free admission Thursday, Feb. 12, Lincoln’s birthday. Lincoln was born Feb. 12, 1809, in Kentucky.
Visitors may meet an Abraham Lincoln interpreter, portrayed by Randy Duncan, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Musical performances by Mike Anderson, featuring banjo and dulcimer, are also planned.
During the celebration, the museum will display its signed copy of the Emancipation Proclamation, offering the public a rare opportunity to view the document. The proclamation, signed by Lincoln in 1863, ordered the freedom of enslaved people in Confederate states. The document is typically kept in a secure vault and is displayed only for limited periods due to preservation requirements.
Visitors may also view the exhibit “Lincoln: A Life and Legacy that Defined a Nation,” which features artifacts from the museum’s collection related to Lincoln’s life and presidency.
Additional information about events and exhibits is available at PresidentLincoln.Illinois.gov.
