Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area

Description

This new Cooperative Agreement is a continuation of Looking for Lincoln Heritage Coalition's work for the past decade to preserve and promote the cultural and natural resources and landscapes of the 25,000 square mile Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area (located in central Illinois. Goals/objectives of this agreement include: 1) preservation, 2) interpretation, 3) education, 4) recreation, 5) conservation, and 6) (appropriately scaled and thematic) economic development to achieve the mission of the Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area.The Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area (ABEL) was established by an act of the US Congress in 2008. It has always been the intent of Congress that the federal government should support the mission, goals, and objectives of the National Heritage Area, as outlined in that legislation (see goals and objectives above, as these relate to the life story of President Abraham Lincoln). As the federal entity that houses the National Heritage Area program, the National Park Service has been given administrative oversight responsibility for ABEL. As such, the NPS Midwest Region's Chief of Heritage Areas and Partnerships, Historian, and Financial Assistance Manager provide regular help and oversight to/for ABEL's annual work plan. By e-mail/phone, Chief is often in weekly contact, if not daily, with the executive director and staff from ABEL advising them regarding one issue or another regarding their financial assistance as well as programmatic responsibilities. Chief reviews and approves ABEL's annual work plan to assure compliance with federal requirements (i.e., Congressional intent). Working hand-in-hand, ABEL and NPS operate/oversee a seemless project that evokes the spirit of our 16th president of the United States and his life in Illinois before the presidency.

Agency Contact

More from National Park Service