Museum Hosts Numerous Independence Day Events
'Four score and seven years ago' … So goes the start of the Gettysburg Address and the phrase Abraham Lincoln used to calculate back from 1863 to 1776, marking the birth of the nation. That phrase seemed fitting on July 4, 2026 as Macomb and McDonough County unveiled a new statue of Lincoln on the very spot at the McDonough County Courthouse where he spoke 168 years ago. The event was one of several on Independence Day to celebrate the nation's 250th anniversary and McDonough County's Bicentennial.
The new Abraham Lincoln statue, which has been added to the 'Looking for Lincoln' self-guided tour around the region, now lives in the southwest corner of the McDonough County Courthouse lawn, near the exact spot Lincoln spoke in the pouring rain in 1858 when he was stumping for the senate against Douglas. Visit Unforgettable Forgottonia (dba Macomb Area Convention & Visitors Bureau) received a $15,000 Illinois Arts Council grant, which was tied to America's 250th anniversary, to create and install the statue. Twenty- two public art grants were issued across the state.
'We celebrate far more than the unveiling of a statue. We celebrate the remarkable story of a community whose influence reaches far beyond its borders and its fingerprint can be found throughout the American story. Many people travel to Philadelphia or Boston or Washington to experience American history, but the truth is, here in Macomb and McDonough County, you can stand where history happened,' said MACVB Executive Director Jock Hedblade.' This community has produced remarkable Americans – from pioneering physician Dr. Ruth Tunnicliff and Civil Rights Leader Rev. Dr. C.T. Vivian to musician and native Big Al Sears to pioneering feminist, inventor and poet Lizzie Magie.
'Yet all those who left their mark, no one is more closely connected to this place than Abraham Lincoln. He walked these streets, campaigned on this courthouse square, built friendships, sharpened ideas that would help preserve our Union,' Hedblade added. 'Communities like Macomb helped shape Abraham Lincoln and in turn Abraham Lincoln helped shape America.'
The life-size mold, created in the 1960s by an unknown artist and that features Lincoln without his beard, was found at Architectural Artifacts in Chicago. That mold was procured by the MACVB, and the statue was created by Western Illinois University Art Professor Duke Oursler, who is also the artist behind the Lincoln topiary. The mixed-medium sculpture is mostly concrete, reinforced within through a rebar 'skeleton,' and features a bronze hand so visitors can take their photo 'shaking hands' with the president. The statue is on a pedestal and features a plaque commemorating Lincoln's 1858 visit.
Jerome Grand, west central Illinois program director for the Illinois Arts Council, spoke, noting that the council, which is a state agency, is dedicated to building a strong, creative and connected Illinois through the arts.
'This sculpture will serve as a public record of the history of Illinois' creativity and show how art can deepen our sense of place, foster dialogue, strengthen civic engagement and energize local economies right here in Illinois,' Grand told the crowd.
During the ceremony, Macomb Mayor Mike Inman issued a proclamation to commemorate the occasion. He also noted that Saturday was all about 'history, history, history.'
'Think about 168 years ago when Abraham Lincoln was here as a young politician, and we're making history here again today. We're making history by dedicating this beautiful work of art,' Inman said.
In addition to the mural unveiling and other events Saturday throughout Macomb and McDonough County, the Western Illinois Museum hosted an America 250 Community Celebration, which included a public reading of the Declaration of Independence, an interactive America 250 and County Bicentennial Community Comment Wall, a pie walk featuring homemade pies made from family recipes, live patriotic music, guided tours of Museum exhibits and a meet-andgreet with Abraham Lincoln. “The 4th of July event was memorable! Reading the Declaration of Independence together reacquainted us with its enduring ideals of natural rights, equality and government by consent. As our neighbors gave voice to its words, many reflected on both the promise and the ongoing challenge of democracy, while conversations over delicious homemade pie centered on what each of us can do to help make those ideals a reality today,” said Western Illinois Museum Executive Director Sue Scott. “WIU School of Music students provided live patriotic music, and they were excellent. We are grateful that these young musicians are so willing to share their music with us in the community.”
The day finished with a traditional fireworks experience at Western Illinois University's Vince Grady Field, which featured the Macomb Municipal Band playing before – and during – the fireworks display.
