Historic Abraham Lincoln Collection At Risk

By Benjamin Yount | Illinois News Network

SPRINGFIELD, IL — Illinois' Abraham Lincoln GoFundMe page is the top earning Lincoln project on the fundraising site. The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Foundation has raised more than $7,000. That's more than the $260 raised by Abraham Lincoln School No. 6 in Garfield, New Jersey. And more than the $0 that a Lincoln impersonator has raised.

The head of Illinois' Lincoln foundation said the GoFundMe page, which aims to raise almost $10 million, is a serious effort.

Foundation CEO Carla Knorowski said people can chuckle if they like, but she said the foundation is looking everywhere that it can to find the money to pay off its debt.

"We wanted to give the opportunity for all people to access this campaign, and be a part of saving these artifacts. However they can access that," Knorowski said. "And in some cases that's GoFundMe."

Why are people donating?

"This man saved our nation and equally importantly helped us to understand the real meaning of the phrase that all men were created equally; A wise man with a great sense of humor..." wrote Jeff Gambla.

"I am donating to this cause, as I suspect that there will be a push to eradicate Lincoln from his vaunted position in history," suggested Jason Tuttle.

Knorowski said the foundation has already raised $13 million from donors, but needs to raise $9.7 million more to pay off a 2007 loan. That loan was used to buy a collection of Lincoln artifacts including a top hat worn by the president, his White House china and locks of Lincoln's hair.

If the group can't come up with the money, Knorowski said the foundation may be forced to sell some Lincoln artifacts to cover their debt.

"If we allow even one artifact to leave," Knorowski explained. "Can we hold our heads up high and call ourselves the Land of Lincoln?"

Knorowski said the foundation's loan is due in October 2019. The foundation raised nearly $7,000 in the first week of the campaign.

GoFundMe charges a 2.9 percent payment processing fee plus a 30-cent charge per donation. That means it would cost the foundation nearly $280,000 in fees to raise the full amount.

Illinois News Network

A Bit of Lincoln History

Speaking of money and Abe Lincoln, the foundation shared this tidbit of history:

In February of 1862, everyone’s favorite President signed the Legal Tender Act (frequently called the “Greenbacks” act) creating a uniform national currency backed only by the Federal Government. Mr. Lincoln first appeared on the five dollar Federal Reserve Note in 1914 and continues to grace the cover of the modern day ‘Greenback’ with only slight modifications every few years.

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