National Heritage Area Management Plan Looking for Lincoln Heritage Coalition Springfield, Illinois August 2012 Cover image source: Abraham Lincoln, candidate for U.S. president. Half-length portrait, seated, facing front. Butler, Preston, photographer. Springfield, Illinois, August 13, 1860. Gelatin silver print. Available from the Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C. http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2007686672/. Background map: A New Map of Illinois, with its proposed canals, roads, and distances. Published by S. Augustus Mitchell, 1846. National Heritage Area Management Plan Looking for Lincoln Heritage Coalition Springfield, Illinois August 2012 July 30, 2012 Mr. Ken Salazar Secretary U.S. Department of the Interior 1849 C Street NW Washington, DC 20240 Dear Secretary Salazar: We are pleased to submit to you the Management Plan for the Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area pursuant to Public Law 110-229. For the past twelve years, the Looking for Lincoln Heritage Coalition has been partnering with communities in central Illinois to interpret the story of the life and times of Abraham Lincoln. Most recently, in the last two years a broad array of partners have collaborated in the development of a plan for the Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area that will enhance our ability to promote appreciation of the historic, cultural, and natural resources significant to the life and times of Abraham Lincoln and the nation. Through this work, we continue to implement a comprehensive program of interpretation, preservation, revitalization, and stewardship aimed at raising awareness of our common heritage and contributing to the quality of life of our citizens. We sincerely appreciate the support that the Congress, the President, and your offices have provided to our efforts. The Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area is a grassroots initiative of many local and regional organizations and individuals. The guidance and support of the Federal government in general and the National Park Service in particular have been crucial in catalyzing the initiative and providing it with the visibility and resources necessary for its success. We look forward to our continuing partnership. Sincerely, Dr. Marcia Young Board President Mail: #1 Old State Capitol Plaza ▪ Office: 209 South 6th Street ▪ Springfield, Illinois 62701 ▪ 217-782-6817 ▪ www.LFLHC.org STATE OF ILLINOIS OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR SPRINGFIELD,ILLINOIS 62706 Pat Quinn GOVERNOR July 17, 2012 Director Jonathan Jarvis United States Department of the Interior National Park Service 1849 C Street, N.W. Washington D.C. 20240 Dear Director Jarvis: This letter is being sent on behalf of the Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area. In Illinois we have a strong and longstanding commitment to the natural, historical, cultural, educational, scenic and recreational resources found in the Land of Lincoln. I am pleased to approve and support the management plan of the Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area, authored by the Looking for Lincoln Heritage Coalition and the actions, commitments and recommendations outlined in the plan. The Looking for Lincoln Heritage Coalition, as the coordinating entity for the Abraham Lincoln Nation Heritage Area, has been building relationships and partnerships in its 42 county area of central Illinois since 1998. The Coalition has taken the important lead in developing the management plan, which has become the framework and guide for the heritage area. In accordance with the heritage area’s enabling legislation, Public Law 110-229 (May 8, 2008), I concur this framework 1) preserves the close working relationship with all levels of government, private sector, and the local communities in the region; and 2) provides appropriate linkages between units of the National Park Service and communities, governments and organizations within the heritage area. Community involvement at many levels of government, education, museums, historical societies as well as by committed individuals, have been fostered by the heritage area’s collaborative approach and ensure its success. The management plan demonstrates the partnerships already built - the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity have long been Coalition partners. Lincoln Home National Historic Site is also a long time Coalition partner, collaborating with the Coalition and the many other historic site treasures found in Springfield and central Illinois. The implementation of this plan ensures these partnerships, and many others, will continue. On behalf of the Land of Lincoln, I offer my wholehearted support for the management plan for the Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area and the Looking for Lincoln Heritage Coalition’s leadership role in protecting and developing the significant resources in this area of our State. Sincerely, Pat Quinn Governor Table of Contents Chapter 1 • Concept and Approach Why We Must Act 1-1 “My friends, no one, not in my Conceptual Foundation 1-2 situation, can appreciate my feeling of sadness at this parting. Abraham Lincoln’s National Story 1-3 To this place, and the kindness The Heritage Area Concept 1-4 of these people, I owe everything. Heritage Area Partnerships 1-5 Here I have lived a quarter of a century, and have passed from a Using the Management Plan 1-8 young to an old man. Here my Approach to the Heritage Area’s Stories 1-10 children have been born, and Approach to Education and Engagement 1-15 one is buried. I now leave, not knowing when, or whether ever, Approach to Preservation and Conservation 1-15 I may return, with a task before Approach to Community Planning and Enhancement 1-16 me greater than that which rested Approach to Heritage Tourism and Marketing 1-16 upon Washington. Without the assistance of the Divine Being Approach to Business Planning 1-18 who ever attended him, I cannot succeed. With that assistance Chapter 2 • The Natural Landscape I cannot fail. Trusting in Him who can go with me, and remain Geology 2-1 with you, and be everywhere for Climate 2-3 good, let us confidently hope that Soils 2-4 all will yet be well. To His care commending you, as I hope in Hydrology 2-5 your prayers you will commend Plant and Animal Communities 2-10 me, I bid you an affectionate farewell.” Chapter 3 • The Cultural Landscape Prehistoric Context 3-1 Lincoln’s Farewell Address at the Great Western Depot in Historic Context 3-6 Springfield, Illinois, February Understanding the Significance of Today’s Settlements 3-22 11, 1861. (Photo: Lincoln Home Within the Context of Lincoln’s Life National Historic Site, Springfield). Chapter 4 • Presenting the Heritage Area’s Stories Abraham Lincoln’s National Story 4-1 Storytelling and the Heritage Area Goals 4-2 Interpretive Approach 4-2 Interpretive Framework 4-11 From Framework to Action: Interpretive Planning 4-44 Chapter 5 • Education & Engagement The National Heritage Area’s Enabling Legislation 5-1 Heritage Area Goals 5-2 Education & Engagement – Concept and Approach 5-3 Leadership in Education 5-3 Ferry crossing on the Lower Illinois River. Educational Programming for Students 5-6 Partnering with Youth Organizations 5-15 Programs for the General Public 5-17 Research Programs 5-20 Chapter 6 • Preservation & Conservation The Context for Preservation & Conservation 6-1 The Foundation for Preservation & Conservation Initiatives 6-9 Preservation Concepts and Approach 6-11 Regional Preservation Leader 6-12 Community Preservation 6-20 Preserving Our Agricultural Landscape 6-23 Preserving Our Natural Landscape 6-25 Chapter 7 • Community Planning & Enhancement The Need 7-2 Concept and Approach 7-3 Designating Looking for Lincoln Communities 7-7 Story Trail Community Designation 7-13 Partnership and Cornerstone Community Designation 7-13 Gateway Community Designation 7-19 Direction for Communities Seeking “LFL” Designation 7-21 Enhancing Looking for Lincoln Communities’ Downtowns 7-21 Chapter 8 • Heritage Tourism & Marketing Tourism in Central Illinois 8-1 Direction for Heritage Tourism Planning 8-2 Knowing the Audience We Serve 8-2 Developing Experiences and Programs 8-7 Building Visibility, Growing Audiences 8-13 Improving the Experience of Visitors 8-19 Organization, Management, and Partnerships 8-27 Chapter 9 • Business Plan The Foundation for this Business Plan 9-2 Approach to Management and Implementation 9-2 The Gudgel White Oak (ca. 1750) Partnerships 9-4 in Menard County. LFL’s Management and Operations 9-13 Communications 9-19 Resource Development Plan 9-20 First-phase Implementation of this Management Plan 9-29 References Appendix A: Public Law 110-229 Title IV-C Appendix B: The Planning Context Appendix C: The Planning Process Appendix D: Civic Engagement Appendix E: Alternatives Appendix F: Audiences Appendix G: Community Working Groups Appendix H: Community Interpretive Plans Appendix I: Self-Assessments Appendix J: Partners Appendix K: Summary of Actions Appendix L: Performance Goals Appendix M: Record of 2011 Performance Data Appendix N: Letters of Support Appendix O: Documents from the Planning Process Community Profiles This management plan for the Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area emphasizes the participation of communities in the heritage area’s interpretive presentation, including the formation of Community Working Groups to steer local interpretive planning, tourism, historic preservation, and other community heritage-area projects. Included in this plan are 27 community profiles based on submissions written by community participants