About the Commission

The Kentucky Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission (KALBC) was established by executive order in 2004 to organize and coordinate the state's commemorative activities in celebration of the 200th anniversary of the birth of President Abraham Lincoln.

Its mission is to ensure that Lincoln's Kentucky story is an essential part of the national celebration, emphasizing Kentucky's contribution to his thoughts and ideals. The commission also serves as coordinator of statewide efforts to convey Lincoln's Kentucky story and his legacy of freedom, democracy, and equal opportunity for all.

1. Positioning: Establishing Lincoln as a Kentuckian on both a state and a national level, by relating the critical role that Kentucky and Kentuckians played in his life and career.
2. Education: Incorporating the relevance of the Lincoln story into educational programming across Kentucky.
3. Cultural Infrastructure: Strengthening the long-term legacy of Kentucky's Lincoln sites and museums.
4. Tourism: Enhancing Kentucky's heritage-tourism industry.

The KALBC has accomplished many noteworthy goals and projects. Among them:

• Awarded grants totaling more than $1 million to communities across the commonwealth from 2006-2007 by funding grant programs through the Kentucky Historical Society, the Kentucky Humanities Council, the Kentucky Arts Council, the Kentucky Heritage Council, the KALBC, and the African American Heritage Commission
• Sponsored the Lincoln Bicentennial Teacher Network to create standards-based units of study for use by teachers and students in Kentucky
• Provided matching funds for the creation of a new state Lincoln Heritage Trail
• Sponsored major public art in Springfield and Hodgenville, Kentucky
• Commissioned a new Lincoln and Kentucky orchestral piece by renowned composer Peter Schickele
• Sponsored major Lincoln theatrical performances by Kentucky Repertory Theatre to tour in Kentucky and neighboring states
• Established an Intercollegiate Task Force to plan and coordinate Lincoln-related activities at institutions of higher learning in Kentucky
• Sponsored KET’s “Lincoln: I, too, am a Kentuckian,” a special episode of Kentucky Life, hosted by Dave Shuffett
• Established a merchandising program of Kentucky and Lincoln-related products, to be available at designated retailers and online
• Commissioned and completed a survey of Lincoln sites throughout the commonwealth

The KALBC is administered by the Kentucky Historical Society. It is guided by input from appointed commission members as well as an advisory council.

Granting agencies of KALBC funding are the Kentucky Historical Society, Kentucky Heritage Council, Kentucky Arts Council, Kentucky Humanities Council, and the African American Heritage Commission.