THE VILLAGES - Governor Ron DeSantis unveiled a permanent statue of President Abraham Lincoln in The Villages, adding the nation’s 16th president to a growing collection of monuments Florida has erected as part of its year-long commemoration of America’s 250th anniversary.
“With America’s 250th anniversary just a few days away, I was proud to unveil a new statue of President Abraham Lincoln,” said Governor DeSantis. “His statue will stand here in The Villages as a symbol of dedication to country and the sacrifice required to preserve this nation. President Lincoln was guided by the principles contained in the Declaration of Independence as he fought the Dred Scott decision and judicial supremacy, advocated for free labor, led the effort to abolish slavery, and worked to preserve the union.”
Secretary of State Cord Byrd framed the monument as a tribute to Lincoln’s constitutional fidelity. “President Abraham Lincoln held a profound respect for our Founding Fathers and the Constitution,” Byrd said. “As one of the nation’s greatest leaders, he guided us through our darkest hours, preserving a nation founded on liberty and justice for all.”
The Lincoln statue is the latest in a series DeSantis has commissioned under the state’s America250FL initiative. Last year, the governor announced plans to place statues of Founding Fathers in counties bearing their names across Florida, including Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, James Monroe, Alexander Hamilton, George Washington and James Madison. Florida has also unveiled statues honoring President Ronald Reagan at Florida International University, Frederick Douglass in St. Augustine and President Calvin Coolidge at Bok Tower Gardens.
Bryan Griffin, president and CEO of VISIT FLORIDA, said the monuments are designed to outlast the anniversary year. “Florida is rightly honoring great Americans with our statue series, and Lincoln stands among them,” Griffin said. “We’re going all out to celebrate America 250 in a meaningful way, creating enduring tributes that future generations of residents and visitors can enjoy for years to come.”
Born in Kentucky in 1809 and largely self-educated, Lincoln led the United States through the Civil War, issued the Emancipation Proclamation and championed the passage of the 13th Amendment abolishing slavery. The Villages, where the statue now stands permanently, is a community known for its patriotism and civic engagement.
Additional America250FL events are scheduled across Florida in the days surrounding America’s 250th birthday. Information on upcoming commemorations is available at America250FL.com.