Learning Station Exhibit Application
Click here to submit an application

As part of the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial celebration in 2009, the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum (ALPLM), in collaboration with the American Library Association and the Tribeca Film Institute and with funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities We the People program, has produced Abraham Lincoln: Self-Made in America.  This exhibit is intended to enable the delivery of valuable lessons and messages to host communities by examining the life and times of America’s 16th president.

Abraham Lincoln: Self-Made in America examines Lincoln’s life from his beginnings in the crudest of circumstances to his ascension to the presidency and his assassination.  Reproductions of original documents, artifacts, broadsides, prints, photographs, pamphlets and newspapers drawn from our unequalled collection of more than 50,000 Lincoln-related items animate the story of a man who embraced the 19th century notion of self-improvement.  The ideal of being “self-made” worked in Lincoln’s life in ways that still serve as exemplars to 21st century Americans, and characterized America during the nineteenth century.

This exhibit is composed of seven learning stations and has been designed for public spaces, libraries, historical societies, and other cultural or educational institutions that can demonstrate a willingness and desire to showcase the exhibit as an integral part of their community outreach.  The learning stations are self-contained and arrive completely assembled.  Two copies of the exhibition will circulate to up to 40 institutions throughout the United States.  While the learning station exhibit is available at no cost to the public, a nominal $500 fee will be required from host institutions to help offset logistical costs.

Applications to host the Abraham Lincoln: Self-Made in America learning station exhibit are now being accepted.  Please provide your site and community’s details in the online application to be considered.  A publicity kit and guidelines to help promote the exhibit will follow application acceptance notification.

Each selected tour venue will receive:

• The traveling exhibit for a four-week loan period.
• “How To” Promotional Kit including scripts for public service announcements, templates for press releases, posters, postcard mailers, banners, and newspaper and magazine advertisements.
• Access to the ALPLM’s growing roster of Lincoln related lesson plans.
• Teaching trunks containing reproduction artifacts and document, lesson plans, bibliographies and age appropriate books for school teachers to check out.  Two of the six trunks will remain property of the venue.
• Curriculum materials, programming resources, and a printed exhibition companion complement the exhibit and are supplied at no cost to each venue. 
• Staff from the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum will visit each venue to orient staff and provide a day-long teacher workshop for area teachers.

Key Space and Electrical Considerations:
Space: minimum of 450 Square Feet of interior installation space.
Electrical: Two, 120 Volt, 20 amp circuits

Click here to submit an application

For further information and questions: HPASelf-Made@illinois.gov