Lincoln Depot Museum Opening Weekend
The Lincoln Depot Museum Board of Directors is pleased to announce the start of the 2024 season on April 27 and 28, 2024. This year marks the 10th year that the museum has been open to the public. There will be several local, county and state representatives on hand to help celebrate this 10-year milestone at a brief ceremony at 11 am on Saturday, April 27th. The ceremony is open to the public. Regular museum hours begin at 1 PM.
The museum’s exhibit, “New York and Abraham Lincoln: The Indispensable Relationship,” not only shows the impact of Lincoln to Peekskill and the Hudson Valley region but to New York as a whole. The importance of New York to Lincoln’s success is also highlighted. It is the only such museum in the entire state and has gained national attention and interest.
The historic building was acquired in 2003. The Lincoln Depot Foundation was formed in 2007 with the goal of restoring the original structure and creating a museum and historic site where President-elect Abraham Lincoln’s visited on February 19, 1861. With the help of a $3 million NY Environmental Protection Fund and NY Empire State Development Corporation grants obtained in 2006, thanks to then Governor George E. Pataki, the Depot Foundation was able to reach their goal.
Utilizing those same NYS grants, a new structure, the Lincoln Depot Visitor’s Center, was completed in 2019. The Visitor’s Center houses the museum offices, additional exhibits, a small gift shop and an open meeting room to hold events.
“We are proud of the result of our many years of hard work,” said Museum President John G. Testa. “There has been a tremendous amount of research, planning and collaboration to achieve this success. We were confident that the museum would be well received and has become a landmark for Peekskill and Westchester County. History buffs from around the country and globe have visited. This historic site has become the educational center we all dreamed of. We thank everyone who has supported and assisted us in making the museum such a success,” added Testa. Testa was the Mayor of Peekskill from 2002-07 when the building was acquired, and the grants awarded.
The museum project was recognized by the The American Institute of Architects with their Design Award and named “Best Museum in Westchester” by Westchester Magazine.