This week marks the centenary of a landmark known to UW-Madison alumni everywhere: the statue of Abraham Lincoln seated in front of Bascom Hall.
The sculpture was a duplicate made by Adolph Weinman, who created the original for Lincolnâ??s birthplace. When he agreed to cast a single replica, requests came from around the nation, but Madison won the bidding. Philanthropist Thomas E. Brittingham covered the cost in honor of the 100th anniversary of Lincolnâ??s birth.
The statue was unveiled at commencement on June 22, 1909, part way down the slope of Bascom Hill. It was moved to the top of the hill only after a decade of wrangling between the University and the Legislature over details concerning its stone base.