Springfield's Sculptures, Monuments, and Plaques

Springfield is the capital of Illinois and the home of Abraham Lincoln and Vachel Lindsay. The city is filled with history, and that fact is reflected in the many sculptures, monuments, and plaques that have been commissioned to commemorate this history. The city contains more than 14 statues and busts of Abraham Lincoln. Famous sculptors have created 17 statues inside the state capitol alone, and 13 more statues and sculptures are located on the capitol grounds. The state's Capital Development Board sponsors the Art-in-Architecture program and provides funding for newly commissioned sculptures in state-funded public buildings. Several major American sculptors are represented in the many works, including Leonard Volk, Leonard Crunelle, Larkin Mead, Fred Torrey, and James Earl Fraser. Works of contemporary artists such as Michael Dunbar, Richard Hunt, and Preston Jackson are also present. Oak Ridge Cemetery contains four war memorials and Abraham Lincoln's tomb. Each of the sculptures, monuments, and plaques has a story to tell and helps to make Springfield's history come alive.

Carl and Roberta Volkmann have lived in Springfield since 1960. They both started their teaching careers in the 1960s. Carl left teaching to enter the field of librarianship and ended his career as director of Lincoln Library, the public library of Springfield. After more than 20 years of teaching, Roberta served as an arts educational consultant for the Illinois State Board of Education before she retired. They are both currently freelance writers and community volunteers.