Ill. Lincoln museum finalist for collection

SPRINGFIELD, Ill.—The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield, Ill., is a finalist to receive a $20 million collection of Lincoln artifacts.

The artifacts are being given away by the Philadelphia-based Lincoln Financial Foundation after it closed its Lincoln museum in Fort Wayne, Ind.

The collection includes photographs from the 19th century and hundreds of Lincoln manuscripts. There's also a copy of the Emancipation Proclamation that's similar to the one owned by Springfield.

Rick Beard is director of the Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum. He says the materials would be a nice complement to the facility's collection.

The Lincoln Financial Foundation has said it could choose the recipient by the end of the year.