With the support of the Looking for Lincoln Heritage Coaltion, our partner in MY HERO's Lincoln Bicentennial celebration, we are able to bring light and energy to the life of one of history's most honored, celebrated and admired leaders--Abraham Lincoln.

About The Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area
managed by Looking for Lincoln Heritage Coalition

The Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area, enacted this year by Congress, is managed by the Looking for Lincoln Heritage Coalition, a nonprofit corporation dedicated to preserving, interpreting and promoting the Lincoln Legacy sites in Illinois, including the icons of Lincoln's Home, Law Office, Old State Capitol, Lincoln's Tomb, historic New Salem, and the world-class Presidential Library and Museum. The Coalition also helps to tell the magnificent stories of many other significant sites across 42 counties of Central Illinois where Lincoln enjoyed friendships, married and raised a family, mourned the loss of a child, practiced law, held public office and debated famous political rivals, on his unlikely journey to The White House. The National Heritage Area designation will allow enhanced and expanded preservation and interpretation of the heritage and culture across the region as it relates to Lincoln's life. To plan travel and learn first-hand about Lincoln's life journey, visit: lookingforlincoln.com.

MY HERO would like to acknowledge the generosity of the following organizations for permission to use their outstanding historical and biographical articles, and innovative lesson plans.

		The Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission (ALBC) Mission Statement: The ALBC commemorates the 200th birthday of Abraham Lincoln, emphasizing the contribution of his thoughts and ideals to America and the world, and serving as a catalyst for strengthening freedom, democracy and equal opportunity for all.
		Become immersed in the life and legacy of Abraham Lincoln at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum; but if you can't make it to their location in Springfield, IL, take a trip to their website, where you'll find exhibits and collections, an interactive time line of Lincoln's life, and information on upcoming events nation-wide.
		The Illinois Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission serves to promote a deeper knowledge, understanding and engagement in the life and times of Abraham Lincoln, through conferences, publications, preservation of Lincoln sites, and local, state-wide and national observances commemorating Abraham Lincoln's birthday on February 12, 2009.

Thank you to Artist Laureate of Illinois, Kay Smith, for her permission to display her Lincoln-related watercolors (part of the American Legacy Collection) on the MY HERO site.
See more artwork by Kay Smith by going to her website, kaysmithartist.com

Our applause and gratitude go out to our volunteers who have graciously agreed to help judge our contest.

Special thanks to Jan Kostner and the Illinois Bureau of Tourism for our contest grand prizes.