Madison in Dane County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Lincoln Statue
Photographed By William J. Toman, June 10, 2010
1. Lincoln Statue in front of Bascom Hall near North Hall
First Marker:The original of this statue was provided by joint appropriations of the Congress of the United States and the State of Kentucky as a national memorial located in Hodgenville, Kentucky, Lincoln's native town. This, the only replica, was granted to this university through the courtesy and cordiality of the State of Kentucky in recognition of the living leadership of Lincoln's spirit to all of our sister states. The setting was provided by the State of Wisconsin
Resolution, Board of Regents, May 10, 1952
This plaque given by the Class of 1983
Second Marker:
This replica of the Kentucky statue of Abraham Lincoln was obtained for this university through the efforts of Richard Lloyd Jones, Wisconsin student and founder of the Lincoln Farm Association which built the memorial at Lincoln's birthplace, and through the generosity of the sculptor, Adolph A. Weinman, in freely granting this replica to Wisconsin. The cast and pedestal were the gift of Thomas E. Brittingham, regent and benefactor of the university.
Resolution, Board of Regents, May 10, 1952
This plaque given by the class
this page online
Erected by University of Wisconsin-Madison Class of 1983.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Education. A significant historical date for this entry is May 10, 1773.
Location. 43° 4.52′ N, 89° 24.239′ W. Marker is in Madison, Wisconsin, in Dane County. Marker is on Lincoln Drive just south of Observatory Drive. The marker is in front of Bascom Hall at the top of Bascom Hill on the University of Wisconsin campus. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 500 Lincoln Drive, Madison WI 53706, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Power of Ideas (within shouting distance of this marker); Reform and Revolt (within shouting distance of this marker); North Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); Global Vision (within shouting distance of this marker); The School of Pharmacy (within shouting distance of this marker); The First Dance (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Natural Wonders (about 300 feet away); Black Hawk (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Madison.
More about this marker. While the markers were placed by the University of Wisconsin-Madison Class of 1983, the statue itself was unveiled at commencement ceremonies on June 22, 1909.
Madison
Photographed By William J. Toman, June 10, 2010
2. First marker for Lincoln Statue
Also see . . .
1. The Lincoln statue atop Bascom Hall gets scrubbed. This article by Todd Finkelmeyer was published in The Cap Times on August 19, 2009. It includes some background on the statue, including the fact it was moved from its original location in 1919. (Submitted on June 21, 2010.)
2. Surrounded by Reality. The story of the cemetery formerly occupying the statue site. (Submitted on November 10, 2010, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin.)
Photographed By William J. Toman, June 10, 2010
3. Second marker for Lincoln statue
Photographed By William J. Toman, November 10, 2010
4. Lincoln Statue Markers
The markers are on the retaining walls on either side of the statue.
Photographed By William J. Toman, July 4, 2012
5. Side View of Lincoln Statue
Eleven score and sixteen years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.
Photographed By William J. Toman, June 17, 2010
6. Gettysburg Address
Plaque on Bascom Hall: "Presented to the University of Wisconsin by the Commander-in-Chief, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, September 1978"
Photographed By William J. Toman, June 17, 2010
7. Plaque on Bascom Hall
"Whatever may be the limitations which trammel inquiry elsewhere, we believe that the great State University of Wisconsin should ever encourage that continual and fearless sifting and winnowing by which alone the truth can be found."
(taken from a report of the Board of Regents in 1894)
Memorial, Class of 1910.
(taken from a report of the Board of Regents in 1894)
Memorial, Class of 1910.
Photographed By William J. Toman, November 10, 2010
8. Grave Markers Next to Statue
According to a web site about Madison, see Surrounded by Reality link, "In 1909 the Lincoln Statue was first placed on University Hill. Later it was decided to move the statue closer to Main Hall [now Bascom Hall], and that a terrace would be built around it. On July 13, 1918 while excavating the site human bones were found.
"The skeletons were identified as William Nelson and Samuel Warren, two men who died in Madison’s very early beginnings and were buried here. Rusty nails were also found among the bones so it’s believed they were buried in wooden coffins that rotted away. Markers were put into the terrace with their initials and the year of their death. The bones are still there."
The very small markers are visible inset in the cement next to the top step, at the bottom of the photo in the center and on the right.
"The skeletons were identified as William Nelson and Samuel Warren, two men who died in Madison’s very early beginnings and were buried here. Rusty nails were also found among the bones so it’s believed they were buried in wooden coffins that rotted away. Markers were put into the terrace with their initials and the year of their death. The bones are still there."
The very small markers are visible inset in the cement next to the top step, at the bottom of the photo in the center and on the right.
Photographed By William J. Toman, November 10, 2010
9. William Nelson Grave Marker
According to the Surrounded by Reality web site, see link, William Nelson died of typhoid fever in 1837.
Photographed By William J. Toman, November 10, 2010
10. Samuel Warren Grave Marker
According to the Surrounded by Reality web site, see link, Samuel Warren was a construction worker struck by lightning in 1838 while working on Madison's first Capitol building.
Photographed By E.A. Bishop, circa 1930
11. Lincoln Monument and a Part of Main Hall, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin
Credits. This page was last revised on January 9, 2020. It was originally submitted on June 21, 2010, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 1,126 times since then and 57 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 11, 2010, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. 4. submitted on November 10, 2010, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. 5. submitted on July 4, 2012, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. 6, 7. submitted on June 21, 2010, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. 8, 9, 10. submitted on November 10, 2010, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. 11. submitted on November 15, 2014. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.
