The Illinois State Historical Society wants to put an iconic portrait of Abraham Lincoln in every courthouse in the state for the upcoming Illinois Bicentennial celebration and is looking for sponsors to help make it happen. William Furry, executive director of the Illinois State Historical Society, tells the Illinois Radio Network that the portrait gives a glimpse of who Lincoln was prior to his presidency, when he served as a trial lawyer and judge in Illinois. The portrait is 30 by 40 inches inside a frame and costs $500, according to Furry.
Furry says the portraits will be displayed in judges’ chambers, courtrooms and justice center hallways because they epitomize what Lincoln was known for: humanity, compassion and honesty.
Lincoln was in Mercer County on two occasions—in May of 1832 while serving as Captain of an Illinois Militia Company during the Black Hawk War and then again in September of 1834 surveying the town of New Boston.