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The Abe Lincoln Project was incorporated in 2000 as a 501(©)3 not-for-profit organization. Our focus is on education and heritage tourism. Thru our efforts the City of Pittsfield was accepted into the Looking for Lincoln Heritage Coalition in 2005 when our Abe Lincoln’s Talking Houses Tour of Pittsfield was developed. Thru the efforts of the Abe Lincoln Project all of Pike County is now in the Looking for Lincoln Heritage Coalition and the Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area.

Under the coordination of the Looking For Lincoln Heritage Coalition - a consortium of central Illinois sites and communities - along with the crucial support of the Illinois Office of Tourism, the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, and the National Park Service, residents can experience the Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area and walk in Lincoln’s footsteps. The Coalition and the National Heritage Area cover the same 42 counties in Central Illinois and the mission is to preserve, interpret and promote the heritage and culture of the area in the context of Lincoln’s Illinois. The Coalition and the Heritage Area seeks to educate, develop and interpret visitor-ready sites, create a living history experience that chronicles the evolution of the landscape and extend these opportunities to the widest audience possible. As the result of the heritage area’s work, Pittsfield and other communities in Pike County and across the region understand their history and appreciate how life here has evolved over time. Heritage area partners work collaboratively to preserve significant resources and strengthen our local and regional economies through heritage-based initiatives and innovation. The Abe Lincoln Project is indebted to the Looking for Lincoln Heritage Coalition and staff for their tremendous support.

In the past nineteen years, the Abe Lincoln Project has hosted symposiums on Lincoln’s connections to the county, presented an original musical “ Mr. Lincoln Comes to Pittsfield” written by Ken Bradbury, conducted Civil War Living History Fairs in the county schools, and since 2001 hosted the Lincoln Days Civil War Reenactment. Lincoln Days was chosen as one of 5 Signature Events supported by the Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area. Members have represented Pike County at communities and events all across the heritage area. Our board works with the Looking for Lincoln/Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area on community preservation activities and work on community revitalization and enhancement. As the Abe Lincoln Project celebrates our 21st Anniversary, we look forward to continuing our efforts to promote Pike County’s connection to America’s greatest president and to commemorate the role of Pike County in the American Civil War.