Kentucky State Capitol Ornaments

2007 Capitol Christmas Ornament

Just in time for holiday gift giving, the Finance and Administration Cabinet’s Division of Historic Properties announces the release of the 2007 Kentucky State Capitol ornament, the fifth in this limited-edition series.

This year’s ornament features a replica of the 14-foot bronze statue of Abraham Lincoln that has stood majestically on a serpentine marble base in the Capitol Rotunda since 1911. The ornament depicts the Lincoln statue surrounded by poinsettias, as it is each Christmas season. The United States and commonwealth of Kentucky flags grace the sides of the ornament under the banner “Kentucky State Capitol.” The year 2007 is etched at the foot of the ornament.

Each expertly crafted ornament is packaged in its own presentation box along with a brief history of the Lincoln statue and its significance to the Capitol. As have all prior official Capitol ornaments, the 2007 edition has been masterfully created by the ChemArt Company, which also designs and provides the annual White House Christmas ornament to collectors around the world.

The Capitol statue of Lincoln was unveiled on November 8, 1911 by President William Howard Taft and Henry Watterson, editor of the Louisville Courier-Journal. It was a gift to the commonwealth from James Breckenridge Speed of Louisville. At a cost of nearly $40,000, the statue was sculpted by Adolph Alexander Weinman and cast by the renowned Roman Bronze Works in New York City. Weinman also sculpted the statute of Lincoln that is displayed in Hodgenville, Kentucky, near the former president’s birthplace.

Born in Hardin County on February 12, 1809, Lincoln is one of Kentucky’s most notable native sons. A national celebration in honor of the 16th president’s 200th birthday will begin on February 12, 2008 in Hodgenville, Kentucky. Celebrations and other planned activities are ongoing in communities throughout the commonwealth and in Indiana and Illinois through the official closing of the bicentennial commemoration on February 12, 2010.

Proceeds from the sale of the commemorative ornament go to the Division of Historic Properties’ endowment fund for the restoration and preservation of Kentucky’s beautiful state Capitol building as it approaches its 100th anniversary.

Ornaments may be purchased for $20 each and are available at the Berry Mansion, the Capitol Gift Shop, the 1792 Store at the Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History, the Frankfort/Franklin County Tourism and Convention Commission Center and the Capital City Museum, all in Frankfort. The ornament may also be viewed and purchased online at www.historicproperties.ky.gov/ornament.htm or by phone at (502) 564-3000.

For more information about the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commemoration, please visit www.kylincoln.org.

The Kentucky State Capitol Christmas ornament is now available for 2006! Fourth in the series, this year's ornament features a representation of one of the majestic oil paintings on the east end lunette of the Capitol’s Great Hall: “Boone and Companions taking their First View of the beautiful level of Kentucky.” This exquisite work of art not only remains a predominant feature in the Capitol building, but also pays tribute to Daniel Boone and the historical foundation of our state. The proceeds of the sale of each ornament will go to an endowment fund for the future Capitol Restoration and Renovation project.

Each expertly crafted ornament is packaged in its own presentation box along with a brief history of the mural and its significance to the Capitol. The 2006 edition, along with previous editions, has been masterfully created by the ChemArt Company, which also designs and provides the annual White House Christmas ornament to collectors around the world.

Each 2006 ornament is $20.  

You may view and order the ornament online at https://secure.kentucky.gov/mall/

You may also order the ornament by phone at 502-564-3000, extension 228, or by e-mailing Paula.Weglarz@KY.gov  for more information.

The number of ornaments is limited.  Do not miss this opportunity to continue or to begin your collection of Kentucky State Capitol Ornaments and assist us in our fundraising efforts to preserve this magnificent structure!

Ornaments are also available at the Capitol Gift Shop, Completely Kentucky, The 1792 Store at the Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History, the Capital City Museum, the Frankfort/Franklin County Tourism Office, the Lexington History Museum, select Kentucky state parks, Berry Mansion, and via Internet, mail and phone order through the Division of Historic Properties.

You may also order the ornament via phone at (502) 564-3000, extension 228, or by e-mailing Paula.Weglarz@ky.gov.

The number of ornaments is limited.  Do not miss this opportunity to continue or to begin your collection of Kentucky State Capitol ornaments and assist the Division of Historic Properties in fundraising efforts to preserve this magnificent structure!

Division of Historic Properties
Department for Facilities and Support Services
Finance & Administration Cabinet
Commonwealth of Kentucky
700 Louisville Road
Berry Mansion
Frankfort, Kentucky 40601
Phone (502) 564-3000
Fax (502) 564-6505