Sterling-Rock Falls Historical Society

Source: Newspaper, The Daily Gazette (Sterling, Illinois), Wednesday, February 8, 2006.

Meeting will focus on bronze sculpture

The city will have its first bronze sculpture unveiled later this summer as part of the 150th celebration of Abraham Lincoln coming to Sterling to speak at a political rally.

The story behind the sculpture will be unveiled at 2 p.m. Sunday when Don Morris, a local sculpture, speaks about his project at the Sterling-Rock Falls Historical Society meeting.

In the life-size sculpture, Morris will depict Lincoln as he appeared in 1856, sans beard.

The society will mark the 150th anniversary of Lincoln's speaking and sleeping overnight in Sterling with a dedication of the statue in July.

More information about Lincoln's visit to Sterling will be discussed at the society's April 9 meeting. Terry Buckaloo, curator at the SRFHS museum will present information about the visits of Lincoln and of Robert Wilson.

March 12, the society will hear about The Underground Railroad in Whiteside County, in a presentation by Ed Abbott.

The society meets in the Ryberg Auditorium, on the first floor of CGH Medical Center, 100 E. LeFevre Road. For more information, call (815) 622-6215.