Abe Brigade

By Naperville Magazine
February 2019 View more Naperscene

On December 2, Naperville Century Walk hosted its Bicentennial Birthday Bash in conjunction with the State of Illinois’s 200th birthday. The event included the dedication of the Laughing Lincoln sculpture in Central Park, followed by an afternoon of fundraising and celebration at North Central College’s Wentz Hall.

Mayor Steve Chirico and state representative Grant Wehrli unveiled the sculpture of a 30-year-old Abraham Lincoln sitting on a cornerstone. Its placement marks the site of the first DuPage County Courthouse in the heart of DuPage’s oldest community, Naperville. President Lincoln—portrayed by Illinois actor Michael Krebs—spoke and posed for photos at the event. Guests also enjoyed a gallery exhibition by Century Walk artists, a virtual tour of art locations, as well as music and artistic performances.

“Lincoln is probably the most written-about and sculpted president in history,” Century Walk board member Brand Bobosky stated. “We wanted our version to stand out by portraying him in his younger years, as the great storyteller he was.”

The bronze-cast sculpture, created by Wyoming artist David Alan Clark, is the 50th location of public art installed by the local public art program.

Photos by 28 West Creative