The Work of the New Salem Lincoln League

The NSLL funds a variety of services at Lincoln’s New Salem Historic Site.

Special Events. The League has paid for all supplies needed for New Salem’s

special weekend events over the years such as Candlelight Tours, Traditional

Music Festivals, Quilt Shows, Morgan Horse Shows and Prairie Tales Storytelling.

Cultural Activities. The League funds educational and cultural programs in the

village and outdoor theatre. NSLL paid the production costs for the Visitor Center

orientation video and spent $11,000 to buy a new state-of-the-art system to replace

the Center’s aging audio-visual equipment. The League has had a special

relationship with Theatre in the Park (TIP), which annually attracts 10,000 visitors

to New Salem. NSLL bought a new sound board for the outdoor theatre.

Village Improvements. When village structures needed new roofs, the League

bought the traditional wood shingles and also purchased specially treated wood to

replace cabin porches and steps. When New Salem’s iconic statues began aging,

the League paid to have them professionally cleaned, treated and restored.

Energy Efficiency. Site staff asked the League to replace lighting systems in both

the Visitors Center and Visitors Parking Lot. NSLL paid to install LED lighting,

saving the site thousands of dollars.

Animal Care. The League pays for the feeding and veterinary care of New

Salem’s two horses, Oreo and Sammy. At the site’s request, the League also

purchased a horse trailer to transport the horses for medical care.

Site Interpretation. Village buildings matter but it is interpretation that brings

New Salem to life. Because the site employs only one interpreter, the brunt of site

interpretation falls on volunteers and summer college interns. They dress in period

clothing, learn crafts, and tell the story of Lincoln’s time in New Salem.

The League supports volunteer efforts by providing supplies and materials and

funding other needs. For many years, the League has partnered with Illinois

College to fund 6 or 7 summer interns at New Salem. Students have also come

from other schools such as Eastern Illinois University.