Summer Seaon Sees Opening of 10 Illinois State...

During this bicentennial year of 16th President Abraham Lincoln's birth, 10 Illinois state historic sites, many with Lincoln connections, are open seven days a week this for the summer tourist season.

This follows the reversal of disgraced ex-Governor Rod Blagojevich's closing of what he said were the least-visited state parks and state historic sites through the remained of the fiscal year. Blagojevich cited budgetary shortages During this bicentennial year of 16th President Abraham Lincoln's birth, 10 Illinois state historic sites, many with Lincoln connections, will open seven days a week this month for the summer tourist season.

This follows the reversal of disgraced ex-Governor Rod Blagojevich's closing of what he said were the least-visited.

Lincoln's New Salem in Petersburg, a magniificent recreation of the village where Lincoln was a storekeeper, through September 14

Lincoln's Tomb in Springfield, where the former president is entombed and the site of a bizarre plot by counterfeiters to snatch the late president's body, May 14 through September 7.

the Old State Capitol in Springfield, May 15 through September 7;

and the Vandalia Statehouse in Vandalia, through September 7.

Except where noted, the sites will revert to their five-day-a-week Wednesday through Sunday schedule through the remainder of the year after the summer schedule expires.

Funding

A supplemental appropriation bill passed by the General Assembly and signed by Governor Pat Quinn makes the reopening possible which not only paid for the expanded summer schedule but had been responsible for reopening the closed parks and historic sites.

The Illinois State Historic Preservation Agency operates more than 60 state historic sites and memorials as well as the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum and Library located in downtown Springfield.

References

Historic Sites Across the State Have Re-Opened!, Illinois Historic Preservation Agency http://www.illinoishistory.gov/hs/sites.htm

Several States Historic Sites to Open Seven Days a Week for Summer, WandTV http://www.wandtv.com/global/story.asp?s=10291507