Adopt a Monument

Seventeen historic monuments and four fountains grace Lincoln Park.  The Conservancy’s Adopt-a-Monument program was started in 1984 to assist the Chicago Park District with the restoration of these artistic and historic treasures through the support of our generous donors. To date, we have restored two fountains (Eli Bates and Standing Girl) and three statues (William Shakespeare, Alexander Hamilton, and Standing Lincoln). The latter, one of the few of Abraham Lincoln in a standing pose, was restored in conjunction with the construction of a large garden and promenade that connects the monument to the surrounding park and North Avenue. Last restored in 1989, the Lincoln Monument and Gardens needs refurbishment and enhancements. 

With our Chicago Park District partners, the Conservancy plans to develop a new master plan for the site in mid–2023-early 2024 including robust community and stakeholder engagement, repairs to the statue, re-envisioning and replanting of the gardens, repairs to the promenade pavers and benches and the curation and installation of interpretive panels to examine the legacy of Lincoln in a more contemporary context. Once completed, the Conservancy will manage the fundraising for and implementation of the master plan.