Abraham Lincoln Statue Suffers Wardrobe Malfunction
A bronze hat from a Lincoln statue in Louisville’s Waterfront Park, crafted by renowned sculptor Ed Hamilton, has been stolen in audacious theft. The act leaves the community puzzled and prompts a rethinking of public art security
By Odd News Show Staff · December 12, 2023
Bewilderment and frustration enveloped the Louisville community after the bronze hat of a prominent Abraham Lincoln sculpture was stolen from Waterfront Park. The 12-foot statue, a significant part of the Louisville park since its installation in 2009, featured Abe seated with a law book in hand, and his iconic hat placed beside him on a rock. He needs that hat; Louisville gets so sunny in the summer!
Renowned artist and sculptor Edward Norton Hamilton Jr., known for his multifaceted artistic talents, expressed astonishment at the audacity of the theft. I mean, it was a tribute to the Kentucky-born 16th President, the one who freed all the slaves.
Well, I guess whoever ripped off the old Abe hat must be desperate or crazy – certainly can’t wear it.
Hamilton is recognized for his expertise in creating impactful public art. In 2020, he was named “Louisvillian of the Year,” and his celebrated works grace prominent locations in Kentucky, DC, Connecticut, North Carolina, and Virginia. As a graduate of Shawnee High School and the Louisville School of Art, has made a lasting impression on his hometown’s vibrant artistic community. And until now, he did it all while keeping his sculptures fully-clothed, which is impressive in today’s modern world.
Waterfront Park officials, including Waterfront Development Corporation (WDC) President Deborah Bilitski, emphasized the broader historical significance of the sculpture. It serves not just as a representation of Abraham Lincoln, but also recounts a narrative of slavery and the Confederacy as interpreted by Ed Hamilton. As such, the theft is seen as an affront to the park’s cultural heritage.
Bilitski is calling upon the community to aid in safeguarding the park, acknowledging the rarity of theft or vandalism at the location. There are security cameras covering nearly every entrance and exit (which is to say…don’t have sex in the park, either). The WDC intends to collaborate with the Louisville Metro Police to investigate the incident thoroughly. If anyone has any info about the hat, please just put it back on Lincoln’s head. The man’s been through enough; he was literally murdered.