SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum (ALPLM) announced that an original handwritten copy of President Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address will be on public view for a limited run beginning Friday, Nov. 6 and ending Nov. 22. The museum says the document is one of only five such copies known to exist and the only one regularly displayed to the public.
Special free‑admission days
Visitors will have two opportunities to enter the museum at no cost. The first free day is Nov. 19, marking the anniversary of Lincoln’s famous speech. The second free day is Nov. 11, Veterans Day, when the museum will open its doors exclusively for veterans.
Accessibility for the visually impaired
Beginning Nov. 17, the ALPLM will offer a tactile version of the address for people with visual impairments. The exhibit will feature raised lettering that visitors can feel, and push‑button stations that provide audio descriptions and historical context. Museum staff said the adaptation reflects the institution’s commitment to making America’s heritage accessible to all citizens.
Free Q&A sessions
ALPLM historians will host free question‑and‑answer sessions on Nov. 18, 19, and 20 at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. The sessions will explore the historical significance of the Gettysburg Address and its lasting impact on the nation’s ideals of liberty, unity, and sacrifice.
Historical background
The State of Illinois acquired the handwritten copy in 1944 after a fundraising drive by schoolchildren helped purchase it from private owners. The museum’s light‑controlled case will protect the fragile document while allowing visitors to view it up close.
Plan your visit
Admission is $12 for adults, $8 for seniors and students, and free for children under 5. The museum is located at 212 S. 9th St., Springfield, and is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call (217) 555‑1234 or visit www.alplm.org.
Whether you are a history enthusiast, a veteran, or a family looking for an educational outing, the ALPLM’s display of the Gettysburg Address offers a rare chance to connect with a defining moment in our nation’s story.
Original reporting: Capitol City Now (WTAX 1240 Springfield) — read the source article.
