Friday, April 3, 2009 9:55 PM CDT
Lincoln Log Cabin to reopen
Governor authorizes funding; historic site to open doors in 'several weeks'
By NATHANIEL WEST, Staff Writer
nwest@jg-tc.com
LERNA — The Lincoln Log Cabin State Historic Site may reopen within a few weeks, following the governor’s authorization Friday of funding for historic sites closed last year.
Gov. Pat Quinn signed a $9 billion package that includes money for recalling employees released from Lincoln Log Cabin near Lerna, the Dana Thomas House in Springfield and the Hauberg Indian Museum in Rock Island, according to David Blanchette, spokesman for the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency.
At least one employee remained on the job at a dozen historic sites shuttered by former Gov. Rod Blagojevich last fall, and the new spending measure also will allow the IHPA to cut paychecks this fiscal year, said Blanchette.
One employee was laid off from the Lincoln Log Cabin, and the site will reopen once that employee is brought back, Blanchette added.
“We think that will go rather quickly, (within) the next several weeks,” he said.
The lone employees who remained at the state historic sites were responsible for security and maintenance. “The sites should be ready to reopen once we get the employees back,” said Blanchette.
He said the “very active” corps of volunteers at the Lincoln Log Cabin also may be called upon to assist in getting the site back on its feet.
“The volunteers will be very instrumental in getting the site open again,” Blanchette said.
During a press conference Friday, Lincoln Log Cabin, Dana Thomas Museum and Hauberg Indian Museum were identified as priorities. Once these sites are reopened, Blanchette said the IHPA will look at reopening other closed sites. “We’ll see how far that funding can go,” he said.
State lawmakers approved the $9-billion package of spending late Thursday. The measure is aimed at improving roads and bridges and financed by a combination of federal stimulus funds and state dollars. The bill funds state historic sites through the end of the current fiscal year.
State Rep. Chapin Rose, R-Mahomet, noted that lawmakers still will have to hammer out an agreement for the next fiscal year in order for Lincoln Log Cabin and other historic sites to have funding to remain open.
The current fiscal year ends July 1.
“This is not next year’s budget that passed, but I’m very excited,” Rose said.
“Lincoln Log Cabin is an invaluable asset to Illinois and our district,” state Sen. Dale Righter said. “I’m pleased with its re-opening and will continue to work hard to see the doors of the remaining historic sites reopened.”
Matthew Mittelstaedt, manager at the Lincoln Log Cabin, declined to comment because he said he had not yet received official word Friday about the funding for the site.
News Editor Penny Weaver contributed to this story.
Contact Nathaniel West at nwest@jg-tc.com or 238-6860.
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kelly wrote on Apr 3, 2009 11:00 PM: