The Memorial includes a sculpture of Lincoln, which will be the centerpiece of an area of the park devoted to the legendary president’s legacy.  The site, framed by an amphitheater, will also feature four bas reliefs that tell the compelling story of Lincoln’s life-long ties to Kentucky. Celebrated Louisville artist Ed Hamilton created the artwork for the memorial, which is part of Kentucky’s two-year bicentennial celebration of Lincoln’s birth.

The 12 ft. sculpture shows a young Lincoln sitting on a rock, holding a book and looking out over the Ohio River, where he watched slaves being loaded onto riverboats almost 200 years ago. Lincoln always remembered this, and in later years documented his personal feelings of abhorrence at the sight in a letter to his good friend Joshua Speed.  Lincoln is perhaps best known for his visionary leadership when he signed the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863.

The four bas reliefs will be mounted on granite panels placed along the walkway that leads into the amphitheater, which has granite seating engraved with Lincoln quotes.  Each panel will include a text explanation of the scene depicted. One of the bas reliefs portrays an image of slaves shackled together, just as Lincoln witnessed them on the riverboat.