Our Mission
To educate and encourage the general public to think, study and acquaint themselves with the history of our county, state, and nation, and historical events, especially in connection with the lives, works and deeds of Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas.
Background
Freeport industrialist W T. Rawleigh called a meeting on November 28, 1928, to announce that he was donating to the community a statue of Abraham Lincoln to be created by Leonard Crunelle, who was also present at the meeting. Out of that meeting the Lincoln-Douglas Society was formed with James R. “J.R.” Jackson (1872-1955) elected as its first president.
A 501(c)3 Not-For-Profit Corporation, The Lincoln-Douglas Society regularly solicits donations and grants to fund its work:
- Freeport’s Debate Square – maintenance and upkeep
- The Stump, annual newsletter
- The Richard F. Sokup Lecture Series
- Music on Debate Square, free summer concert series
- Additional programs and projects as envisioned
Directors and Officers of the Society – 2022-23
- Nicole M. Bauer, President
- Tim Connors, Vice President
- Mindy Borgmann, Treasurer
- Edward Finch, D.A., Secretary
- Robert Plager, emeritus
Board of Directors
- Olga Carlile, emeritus
- Carole Dickerson
- Mary Hartman
- Ashley Huffines
- Scott Leiser
- Mickey Martin
- Todd McKenna
Ex-officio
- Nicole Hass – Greater Freeport Partnership
- Jodi Miller – Mayor, City of Freeport
Past Presidents of the Society
- James R. “J.R.” Jackson, 1929-1955
- Robert J. Schmelzle, president pro tem 1955-1956
- Michael Cassidy, president pro tem, July, 1956
- Robert J. Schmelzle, 1956-1985
- Robert B. Plager, 1985-1997
- Richard F. Sokup, 1997-2004
- Edward F. Finch, 2004-2018
Joining
To join the Society, download our membership form.
Donating
To contribute to the Society’s mission, you can make a secure online donation at paypal.me/ldfreeport.