Heritage Center Hopes To Attract Traveling Exhibit

The year 2013 might seem far off to some people, but the Grayslake Heritage Center has already begun exploring the potential to host a traveling exhibit that would kick off 2013 with a new historical attraction. The high profile exhibit “Abraham Lincoln: Self-Made in America” features several learning stations exploring various facets of Lincoln’s life and was created by the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum. The stations range from his early childhood to his role as the sixteenth president of the United States.

“This traveling exhibition would give us the opportunity to bring the resources of a world-class museum and library to the citizens of Grayslake,” said Dave Oberg, executive director of the Grayslake Heritage Center. Should the Heritage Center gain approval for the exhibition, it would be one of only 10 in the nation to host it.

The committee is still in the preliminary stages of creating its proposal and cannot say for certain whether it will get the exhibit or not, according to Shawn Vogel, Grayslake Village trustee and member of the Heritage Center Committee.

The village is hoping to secure the 10-week exhibit for the first quarter of 2013.  Oberg said waiting until 2013 allows the center ample time to create exciting supporting programs and collaborate with community partners.

The Heritage Center Committee has been in contact with the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum and Library and several members were able to visit the exhibit in Ottawa, Illinois to experience it firsthand, Oberg said.

The cost of the exhibition is $5,000, which Oberg says isn’t uncommon for a travelling exhibition of its caliber.

When putting together a proposal to acquire the exhibit Oberg said steps include creating a financial support package to pay for the exhibition and supporting programs through grants, scholarships, donations and program underwriting.

Oberg said the process isn’t necessarily competitive against other museums; rather, it is more about getting the word out to community members and partners to make sure the exhibit will be fully supported.

“We will need to reach out to local cultural partners to ensure this becomes a truly community wide affair, appealing to different constituencies and engaging multiple audiences.  Volunteer recruitment is another essential piece in the planning process, as you want to have the museum open for extended hours to ensure area residents have accessibility to a high quality show of this kind,” he said. 

Aside from its educational benefits the exhibit would have the potential to strengthen relationships throughout Lake County and beyond.

“The appeal of a prestigious exhibition such as “Abraham Lincoln: Self-made in America” certainly reaches beyond the borders of Grayslake and has the potential to attract regional audiences and bring them to the heart of Grayslake’s downtown, benefiting local restaurants and businesses,” he said. 

The Heritage Center Committee will be discussing opportunities and challenges related to the exhibition at its upcoming June meeting.

For more information, images and video about the traveling display visit www.alplm.org.