Springfield, IL  (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – Governor Pritzker and First Lady MK Pritzker visited the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield Tuesday to announce a donation of a key Civil War document to the ALPLM. The document is President Lincoln’s order to begin the process of blockading Southern ports, his first direct military action against slave states attempting to secede.

“To me, this document – and the museum as a whole – serves as a reminder of how far we’ve come. Despite our divisions and challenges, more than 150 years later, our nation perseveres,” said Governor Pritzker. “MK and I are proud to contribute to that history and the already rich collection of documents and artifacts amassed here – around 13 million items – with this donation today. We hope it helps visitors better understand Lincoln as a person and as a Commander in Chief and ultimately inspires them to live up to his legacy.”

The document – formally entitled “Order to Affix Seal of the United States to a Proclamation of a Blockade” – had been owned by anonymous private collectors. It was auctioned, and the Pritzkers purchased the item on behalf of the people of Illinois. The document will be housed at the ALPLM.

Video from ALPLM explaining the document’s historical significance

Blockade Order Factsheet