The Lincoln Tomb
Project summary
Having undergone multiple renovations since 1899 which have modified the exterior, the CDB and IDNR required the exterior condition of the monument to be evaluated and repairs/maintenance recommended to stop water infiltration. Additionally, the interior and exterior statuary was requested to be surveyed, assessed, and a repaired procedure identified for a future phase.
client
Illinois Capital Development Board / Illinois Department of Natural Resources
location
Springfield, Illinois
size
6,840 sf
cost
$705,000
Services
Specialties
client
Illinois Capital Development Board / Illinois Department of Natural Resources
location
Springfield, Illinois
size
6,840 sf
cost
$705,000
Services
Specialties
History
After Lincoln’s death on April 15, 1865, the citizens of Illinois immediately sought permission to bury him in Springfield. The committee which arranged his Springfield funeral also formed the National Lincoln Monument Association to build this tomb, which was dedicated in 1874. In 1895, when the association deeded the tomb and surrounding grounds to the State of Illinois, the tomb had already fallen into disrepair.
The State undertook rebuilding and restoration from 1899-1901. In 1930-31, the State reconstructed the interior in an Art Deco style, which was rededicated by President Herbert Hoover. Since then, a series of less invasive renovation campaigns have been completed, however the interior has remained largely unchanged.
The Tomb serves as the final resting place for President Lincoln, his wife Mary Todd Lincoln, and their three youngest sons, Edward, William, and Thomas.
"That grave will be a precious and a consecrated spot. The friends of Liberty and of the Union will repair to it in years and ages to come, to pronounce the memory of its occupant blessed, and, gathering from his very ashes, and from the rehearsal of his deeds and virtues, fresh incentives to patriotism, they will there renew their vows of fidelity to their country and their God."
Capturing Every Angle
To accurately assess the entire monument, Bailey Edward employed drone photography to view the upper reaches of the obelisk. In conjunction with conducting a visual inspection via a lift, the drone imagery allowed for our team to quickly understand the areas of deterioration throughout the monument and provide accurate cost estimates for the work to be completed.
Design (Historic)
Designed by New Hampshire-born sculptor Larkin Goldsmith Mead, the tomb features a rectangular base surmounted by a 117-foot high obelisk and a semicircular entranceway. Four flights of balustraded stairs—two flanking the entrance at the front (South) and two at the rear (North) —lead to a level terrace. The balustrade extends around the terrace to form a parapet of sorts. Originally open to the public, the terrace was closed in 2019 due to safety concerns. The tomb is constructed of brick sheathed with Quincy Granite. The interior of the tomb is finished with polished marble and bronze trim, decorative elements added during one of two major renovations projects.
In the center of the terrace, a large and ornate base supports the obelisk. On the walls of the base are 40 hewn stones, cut to represent raised shields, 37 are engraved with the abbreviation of a State at the time the tomb was built. The remaining three are marked U, S, and A. Each shield is connected to another by two raised bands, and thus the group forms an unbroken chain encircling the base.
The sculpture adorning the monument was designed and executed by Mead. The large bronze reproduction bust of the President is by John Gutzon de la Mothe Borglum, the lead sculptor of Mount Rushmore. The four bronze statues at the base of the balustrade represent the infantry, navy, artillery, and cavalry of the Civil War period. A full height statue of Lincoln stands at the entrance to the tomb. Mead’s sculptural work for the monument was completed over a period from 1870-1883.