Macomb Designated as a Looking for Lincoln Community
June 21, 2021
Looking for Lincoln is proud to announce that Macomb, Illinois has been designated as the newest Looking for Lincoln Community. Macomb joins a family of 28 other Illinois communities that tell the story of Lincoln’s life and times across the Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area.
"We are thrilled to have Macomb join our family of Looking for Lincoln Communities” said Sarah Watson, Executive Director of Looking for Lincoln and the Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area. “Macomb has a unique Lincoln story. We know people will come from far and wide to explore Macomb and learn about the Lincoln they knew."
Macomb has met the high standards to become part of the Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area. The community is already the location of Looking for Lincoln wayside exhibits, a self-guided Lincoln audio tour, many significant historic sites, and features a “Living Lincoln Topiary Monument,” which is arguably one of the most iconic Lincoln sculptures in western Illinois.
Lincoln made multiple visits to the community during his political career. During his tour of the state debating Stephen Douglas, senate hopeful Abraham Lincoln made two significant visits. During one of those stops, Lincoln, after much discussion with Joseph Medill and James K. Magie upon strategies for the debates, came to a new conclusion of the debate that changed the course of his political career.
As a Looking for Lincoln Community Macomb will be part of a network of communities that collectively make the Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area a destination for visitors. As a designated community Macomb will be included on Looking for Lincoln’s website and visitor guide. They will also be able to participate in Looking for Lincoln programs and benefit from being part of a larger network of communities.