A life-sized bronze sculpture of Abraham Lincoln was unveiled to visitors in November 2009 at the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum and Visitor Center.

The sculpture, which is situated in a new environment at the front entrance to the Museum and Visitor Center, is the result of a collaboration of artist Ivan Schwartz of StudioEIS; landscape architect Andrew Balderson of Donovan, Feola, Balderson & Associates; and philanthropist Robert H. Smith. Staff members from the National Park Service and the Gettysburg Foundation have been involved in each step of the year-long process of creating the sculpture — from concept to installation.

The Lincoln sculpture is the latest in a series of sculptures of great presidents created by StudioEIS, supported by Robert H. Smith and installed at notable historic sites. During the last several years, their partnership has made possible statues of Dolley and James Madison at Montpelier, Thomas Jefferson at Monticello, George and Martha Washington and their grandchildren at Mount Vernon and Abraham Lincoln for President Lincoln's Cottage at Soldier's Home in Washington, D.C. The seated Lincoln sculpture at Gettysburg completes the series.

The sculpture Abraham Lincoln at Gettysburg is made possible by a generous gift of Robert H. Smith. Mr. Smith and his foundation, The Robert H. Smith Family Foundation, also support the Gettysburg Foundation's David Bruce Smith Education Initiative — ten years of public programs and educational opportunities that highlight Abraham Lincoln's presidency and legacy.

"The Lincoln sculpture will be a popular addition to the new Museum and Visitor Center," said Robert A. Kinsely, Gettysburg Foundation Chair of the Board. "It reinforces for our visitors the significance of this great president and the lasting legacy at Gettysburg. We are grateful to Robert H. Smith for making possible this beautiful addition to the museum."

CONTRIBUTIONS OF STUDIOEIS

Brooklyn, N.Y.-based StudioEIS has been creating sculpture for museums and public places for more than three decades. However, a series of recent projects has brought new prominence and international recognition for the studio. In 2003, the studio's artists completed life-sized bronze sculptures of the 42 signers of the United States Constitution, for Signers' Hall Gallery at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia. This undertaking led to a series of other high profile projects, including the forensic work for depicting George Washington at various ages at Mount Vernon's new Education Center, sculpture for the new Marine Corps and Infantry museums and, now, the series of great presidents at America's most important historical sites.