{"id":115544,"date":"2024-09-12T20:44:20","date_gmt":"2024-09-13T00:44:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/?p=115544"},"modified":"2025-03-25T15:44:29","modified_gmt":"2025-03-25T19:44:29","slug":"lincoln-artifacts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/lincoln-artifacts\/","title":{"rendered":"Lincoln&#8217;s Promise, Lincoln&#8217;s Legacy: Historic Artifacts Recovered from Site of Dayton Statue"},"content":{"rendered":"<style>.kb-image115544_0b6f21-09.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .kb-image115544_0b6f21-09 .kb-image-is-ratio-size{max-width:850px;width:100%;}.wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image115544_0b6f21-09.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image115544_0b6f21-09 .kb-image-is-ratio-size{align-self:unset;}.kb-image115544_0b6f21-09 figure{max-width:850px;}.kb-image115544_0b6f21-09 .image-is-svg, .kb-image115544_0b6f21-09 .image-is-svg img{width:100%;}.kb-image115544_0b6f21-09 .kb-image-has-overlay:after{opacity:0.3;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-image kb-image115544_0b6f21-09\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/09\/CC018-Lincoln-promise.png\" class=\"kb-advanced-image-link\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1280\" height=\"720\" src=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/09\/CC018-Lincoln-promise.png?w=1280\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/09\/CC018-Lincoln-promise.png?w=1280\" alt=\"Graphic\" class=\"lazyload kb-img wp-image-115538\" srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271280%27%20height%3D%27720%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%201280%20720%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%271280%27%20height%3D%27720%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/09\/CC018-Lincoln-promise.png?resize=300,169 300w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/09\/CC018-Lincoln-promise.png?resize=600,338 600w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/09\/CC018-Lincoln-promise.png?resize=768,432 768w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/09\/CC018-Lincoln-promise.png 1280w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-orig-sizes=\"(max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It all started when Bill DeFries, President of the American Veteran\u2019s Heritage Center (AVHC), lost his wedding ring at the construction site for the statue of <a href=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/topics\/president-abraham-lincoln\/\">Abraham Lincoln<\/a> on the campus of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.va.gov\/dayton-health-care\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Dayton VA Medical Center<\/a>. He requested the assistance of the Dayton Diggers, a local nonprofit whose mission is to \u201cresearch, recover, and document history\u201d through their use of metal detector survey. The machines used by Dayton Diggers emit an electromagnetic field that responds to metal objects hidden below the ground surface. When they pinpoint a target, they use minimally invasive excavation to remove the object from the soil. In addition to the misplaced wedding band, their team uncovered historic artifacts that can be used to understand the history of Veteran care in Dayton.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.kb-image115544_30f49c-87.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .kb-image115544_30f49c-87 .kb-image-is-ratio-size{max-width:600px;width:100%;}.wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image115544_30f49c-87.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image115544_30f49c-87 .kb-image-is-ratio-size{align-self:unset;}.kb-image115544_30f49c-87 figure{max-width:600px;}.kb-image115544_30f49c-87 .image-is-svg, .kb-image115544_30f49c-87 .image-is-svg img{width:100%;}.kb-image115544_30f49c-87 .kb-image-has-overlay:after{opacity:0.3;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-image kb-image115544_30f49c-87\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/09\/CC018-Diggers.jpg\" class=\"kb-advanced-image-link\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1837\" height=\"1169\" src=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/09\/CC018-Diggers.jpg?resize=1400,891\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/09\/CC018-Diggers.jpg?resize=1400,891\" alt=\"Digging by statue.\" class=\"lazyload kb-img wp-image-115541\" srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271837%27%20height%3D%271169%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%201837%201169%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%271837%27%20height%3D%271169%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/09\/CC018-Diggers.jpg?resize=300,191 300w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/09\/CC018-Diggers.jpg?resize=600,382 600w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/09\/CC018-Diggers.jpg?resize=768,489 768w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/09\/CC018-Diggers.jpg?resize=1400,891 1400w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/09\/CC018-Diggers.jpg?resize=1536,977 1536w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/09\/CC018-Diggers.jpg 1837w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-orig-sizes=\"(max-width: 1837px) 100vw, 1837px\" \/><\/a><figcaption>Two members of the Dayton Diggers stand in front of the pedestal of the Lincoln Pavilion as they search for artifacts found using a metal detector. (VA)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In 2018, the American Veteran\u2019s Heritage Center formed a committee in collaboration with the Lincoln Society of Dayton raise support for a project to erect a bronze statue of our 16th President on the Dayton VA campus. They commissioned Ohio sculptor Mike Major to create the monumental piece of artwork that will be unveiled and dedicated on the historic campus on Monday, September 16. In 1867, this site was chosen for the Central Branch of the <a href=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/exhibits\/national-homes-postcards\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"104292\">National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers<\/a>, one of the federal agencies who would become the Veterans Administration in <a href=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/featured-stories\/va-created\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"104138\">1930<\/a>. For more than 150 years, Veterans of all walks of life have come here to make lives for themselves, to receive state-of-the-art medical care, and when the time comes, for their final resting place.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.kb-image115544_0b49d0-f9.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .kb-image115544_0b49d0-f9 .kb-image-is-ratio-size{max-width:800px;width:100%;}.wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image115544_0b49d0-f9.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image115544_0b49d0-f9 .kb-image-is-ratio-size{align-self:unset;}.kb-image115544_0b49d0-f9 figure{max-width:800px;}.kb-image115544_0b49d0-f9 .image-is-svg, .kb-image115544_0b49d0-f9 .image-is-svg img{width:100%;}.kb-image115544_0b49d0-f9 .kb-image-has-overlay:after{opacity:0.3;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-image kb-image115544_0b49d0-f9\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/09\/CC018-Dayton-litho.jpg\" class=\"kb-advanced-image-link\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"902\" height=\"603\" src=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/09\/CC018-Dayton-litho.jpg?w=902\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/09\/CC018-Dayton-litho.jpg?w=902\" alt=\"Lithograph Dayton campus.\" class=\"lazyload kb-img wp-image-115540\" srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%27902%27%20height%3D%27603%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%20902%20603%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%27902%27%20height%3D%27603%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/09\/CC018-Dayton-litho.jpg?resize=300,201 300w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/09\/CC018-Dayton-litho.jpg?resize=600,401 600w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/09\/CC018-Dayton-litho.jpg?resize=768,513 768w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/09\/CC018-Dayton-litho.jpg 902w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-orig-sizes=\"(max-width: 902px) 100vw, 902px\" \/><\/a><figcaption>Lithograph depicting the Central Branch in Dayton in 1898, Relative location of Lincoln Statue marked by yellow arrow (added). (VA)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While this statue is the latest representation of the Great Emancipator to make its home here in Dayton, it is far from the first. As early as 1875, a <a href=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/curator-corner\/box-president-busts\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"114630\">plaster bust<\/a> of Abraham Lincoln held a place of honor inside the original <a href=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/curator-corner\/mary-lowell-putnam\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"114970\">Putnam Library<\/a>, back when it was still located in the Old Headquarters. Nowadays, this plaster bust lives in the lobby of the Dayton VA Medical Center.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.kb-image115544_25d3a7-5c.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .kb-image115544_25d3a7-5c .kb-image-is-ratio-size{max-width:146px;width:100%;}.wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image115544_25d3a7-5c.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image115544_25d3a7-5c .kb-image-is-ratio-size{align-self:unset;}.kb-image115544_25d3a7-5c figure{max-width:146px;}.kb-image115544_25d3a7-5c .image-is-svg, .kb-image115544_25d3a7-5c .image-is-svg img{width:100%;}.kb-image115544_25d3a7-5c .kb-image-has-overlay:after{opacity:0.3;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-image kb-image115544_25d3a7-5c\"><figure class=\"alignright size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/09\/CC018-Bust.jpg\" class=\"kb-advanced-image-link\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"526\" src=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/09\/CC018-Bust.jpg?w=300\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/09\/CC018-Bust.jpg?w=300\" alt=\"Plaster bust of Abraham Lincoln.\" class=\"lazyload kb-img wp-image-115537\" srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%27300%27%20height%3D%27526%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%20300%20526%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%27300%27%20height%3D%27526%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/09\/CC018-Bust.jpg?resize=171,300 171w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/09\/CC018-Bust.jpg 300w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-orig-sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><figcaption>Plaster bust of Abraham Lincoln on display in the lobby of the Dayton VA Medical Center. (VA)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">President Lincoln has been memorialized countless times for many reasons, but here at the VA, he is recognized as the president responsible for <a href=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/featured-stories\/emma-miller-delphine-baker\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"113197\">signing the bill<\/a> that established the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers. On March 4, 1865, he authorized the federal agency responsible for housing and caring for Veterans of the Civil War. From just three homes located in <a href=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/100-objects\/object-10-togus-time-capsule\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"104349\">Maine<\/a>, Wisconsin, and Dayton, a network of 11 residential communities dedicated to the care of Veterans sprang up between 1865 and 1930. With the establishment of the Veterans Administration in 1930, the National Homes became formally part of the agency we know today as the <a href=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/100-objects\/object-41-creating-the-department-of-veterans-affairs\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"106951\">Department of Veterans Affairs<\/a>. Just a day after signing this legislation, President Lincoln would deliver his second <a href=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/100-objects\/object-30-lincolns-second-inaugural-address\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"104476\">Inaugural Address<\/a>, which includes the words that would serve as inspiration for the VA\u2019s motto and mission statement:<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.kb-image115544_623292-81.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .kb-image115544_623292-81 .kb-image-is-ratio-size{max-width:450px;width:100%;}.wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image115544_623292-81.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image115544_623292-81 .kb-image-is-ratio-size{align-self:unset;}.kb-image115544_623292-81 figure{max-width:450px;}.kb-image115544_623292-81 .image-is-svg, .kb-image115544_623292-81 .image-is-svg img{width:100%;}.kb-image115544_623292-81 .kb-image-has-overlay:after{opacity:0.3;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-image kb-image115544_623292-81\"><figure class=\"alignleft size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/09\/CC018-Lincoln-quote.png\" class=\"kb-advanced-image-link\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1080\" height=\"1080\" src=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/09\/CC018-Lincoln-quote.png?w=1080\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/09\/CC018-Lincoln-quote.png?w=1080\" alt=\"Lincoln statue with quote.\" class=\"lazyload kb-img wp-image-115534\" srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271080%27%20height%3D%271080%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%201080%201080%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%271080%27%20height%3D%271080%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/09\/CC018-Lincoln-quote.png?resize=300,300 300w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/09\/CC018-Lincoln-quote.png?resize=600,600 600w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/09\/CC018-Lincoln-quote.png?resize=768,768 768w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/09\/CC018-Lincoln-quote.png 1080w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-orig-sizes=\"(max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px\" \/><\/a><figcaption>Lincoln statue prior to its dedication at the Dayton VA with the quote that inspired the VA motto and mission statement. (VA)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWith malice toward none; with charity for all; with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation\u2019s wounds; to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan\u2014to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and a lasting peace, among ourselves, and with all nations.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It is this reason that the American Veterans Heritage Center and the Lincoln Society of Dayton have raised the support to bring a new statue of Lincoln to the Dayton VA. Several months of construction were needed to prepare the site for the statue, and it is during that construction that Bill misplaced his wedding band. Through the assistance of Dayton Diggers, the wedding band was found in addition to several other artifacts lost to time.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.kb-image115544_70c628-da.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .kb-image115544_70c628-da .kb-image-is-ratio-size{max-width:600px;width:100%;}.wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image115544_70c628-da.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image115544_70c628-da .kb-image-is-ratio-size{align-self:unset;}.kb-image115544_70c628-da figure{max-width:600px;}.kb-image115544_70c628-da .image-is-svg, .kb-image115544_70c628-da .image-is-svg img{width:100%;}.kb-image115544_70c628-da .kb-image-has-overlay:after{opacity:0.3;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-image kb-image115544_70c628-da\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/09\/CC018-Putnam.png\" class=\"kb-advanced-image-link\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1790\" height=\"1619\" src=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/09\/CC018-Putnam.png?resize=1400,1266\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/09\/CC018-Putnam.png?resize=1400,1266\" alt=\"Putnam Library\" class=\"lazyload kb-img wp-image-115543\" srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271790%27%20height%3D%271619%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%201790%201619%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%271790%27%20height%3D%271619%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/09\/CC018-Putnam.png?resize=300,271 300w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/09\/CC018-Putnam.png?resize=600,543 600w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/09\/CC018-Putnam.png?resize=768,695 768w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/09\/CC018-Putnam.png?resize=1400,1266 1400w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/09\/CC018-Putnam.png?resize=1536,1389 1536w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/09\/CC018-Putnam.png 1790w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-orig-sizes=\"(max-width: 1790px) 100vw, 1790px\" \/><\/a><figcaption>Historic photograph of Putnam Library, relative location of Lincoln Pavilion marked with red arrow (added). (VA)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The artifacts were discovered outside of Putnam Library. This building was first built in 1890 as the Quartermaster\u2019s Building. Shortly thereafter, it became the new home of the growing collection of <a href=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/curator-corner\/witb-helen-carson\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"115076\">books <\/a>donated by Mary Lowell Putnam. Most of objects recovered from the metal detector survey represent recent disposals. These items include coins, ammunition casings, pop tabs, and soda caps from the late 20th and early 21st centuries. The most historically significant finds can be reliably dated to the National Home period (a span of about 65 years); these include coins, a uniform coat button, and a belt plate.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.kb-image115544_f5fcb6-d3.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .kb-image115544_f5fcb6-d3 .kb-image-is-ratio-size{max-width:650px;width:100%;}.wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image115544_f5fcb6-d3.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image115544_f5fcb6-d3 .kb-image-is-ratio-size{align-self:unset;}.kb-image115544_f5fcb6-d3 figure{max-width:650px;}.kb-image115544_f5fcb6-d3 .image-is-svg, .kb-image115544_f5fcb6-d3 .image-is-svg img{width:100%;}.kb-image115544_f5fcb6-d3 .kb-image-has-overlay:after{opacity:0.3;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-image kb-image115544_f5fcb6-d3\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/09\/CC018-Dayton-artifacts.jpg\" class=\"kb-advanced-image-link\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1062\" height=\"601\" src=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/09\/CC018-Dayton-artifacts.jpg?w=1062\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/09\/CC018-Dayton-artifacts.jpg?w=1062\" alt=\"Items found by the diggers include coins.\" class=\"lazyload kb-img wp-image-115539\" srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271062%27%20height%3D%27601%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%201062%20601%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%271062%27%20height%3D%27601%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/09\/CC018-Dayton-artifacts.jpg?resize=300,170 300w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/09\/CC018-Dayton-artifacts.jpg?resize=600,340 600w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/09\/CC018-Dayton-artifacts.jpg?resize=768,435 768w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/09\/CC018-Dayton-artifacts.jpg 1062w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-orig-sizes=\"(max-width: 1062px) 100vw, 1062px\" \/><\/a><figcaption>Assemblage of historic artifacts recovered from the Lincoln site by Dayton Diggers. (VA)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The two coins that can be dated to the National Home period include a 1893 Barber Dime and a 1911 Lincoln Penny. This style of dime was designed by Charles Barber and was minted in Philadelphia between 1892 and 1916. These dimes faced mixed reactions from the public, some found the depiction of Liberty on its face to be beautiful, but others found it grotesque. Perhaps this coin was dropped behind the library by a group of Veteran soldiers who had been passing it around during a spirited debate about its design. The Lincoln \u201cWheat Penny\u201d was designed by Victor Brenner to commemorate Lincolns 100th birthday and was minted in three cities between 1909 and 1959, when the obverse image that gave this coin its nickname was replaced by a depiction of the Lincoln Monument. The specific coin recovered from the Lincoln site was minted in Philadelphia in 1911 and could have been dropped behind Putnam at any point in the 113 years since its creation.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.kb-image115544_65f8c9-f4.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .kb-image115544_65f8c9-f4 .kb-image-is-ratio-size{max-width:650px;width:100%;}.wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image115544_65f8c9-f4.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image115544_65f8c9-f4 .kb-image-is-ratio-size{align-self:unset;}.kb-image115544_65f8c9-f4 figure{max-width:650px;}.kb-image115544_65f8c9-f4 .image-is-svg, .kb-image115544_65f8c9-f4 .image-is-svg img{width:100%;}.kb-image115544_65f8c9-f4 .kb-image-has-overlay:after{opacity:0.3;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-image kb-image115544_65f8c9-f4\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/09\/CC018-Coins.png\" class=\"kb-advanced-image-link\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1080\" height=\"1080\" src=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/09\/CC018-Coins.png?w=1080\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/09\/CC018-Coins.png?w=1080\" alt=\"Coins recovered at statue site.\" class=\"lazyload kb-img wp-image-115533\" srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271080%27%20height%3D%271080%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%201080%201080%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%271080%27%20height%3D%271080%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/09\/CC018-Coins.png?resize=300,300 300w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/09\/CC018-Coins.png?resize=600,600 600w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/09\/CC018-Coins.png?resize=768,768 768w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/09\/CC018-Coins.png 1080w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-orig-sizes=\"(max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px\" \/><\/a><figcaption>Coins recovered from the metal detector survey of the Lincoln Statue construction site. (VA)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The next artifact is easily identified as a uniform button, most likely from the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers. This style of button was standard on the Union army-inspired <a href=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/curator-corner\/whats-in-the-box-fair\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"115212\">uniforms <\/a>worn by all residents of the home. These brass buttons were embossed with an eagle, typically surrounded by the letters NHDVS. There are several examples of this kind of button in the Permanent Collection of the <a href=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/va-history-center\/\">National VA History Center<\/a>; these kinds of artifacts help us understand more about the uniforms the men of the National Home wore.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.kb-image115544_bcd4cb-ee.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .kb-image115544_bcd4cb-ee .kb-image-is-ratio-size{max-width:750px;width:100%;}.wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image115544_bcd4cb-ee.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image115544_bcd4cb-ee .kb-image-is-ratio-size{align-self:unset;}.kb-image115544_bcd4cb-ee figure{max-width:750px;}.kb-image115544_bcd4cb-ee .image-is-svg, .kb-image115544_bcd4cb-ee .image-is-svg img{width:100%;}.kb-image115544_bcd4cb-ee .kb-image-has-overlay:after{opacity:0.3;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-image kb-image115544_bcd4cb-ee\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/09\/CC018-Round.png\" class=\"kb-advanced-image-link\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1080\" height=\"575\" src=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/09\/CC018-Round.png?w=1080\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/09\/CC018-Round.png?w=1080\" alt=\"Historic buttons.\" class=\"lazyload kb-img wp-image-115535\" srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271080%27%20height%3D%27575%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%201080%20575%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%271080%27%20height%3D%27575%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/09\/CC018-Round.png?resize=300,160 300w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/09\/CC018-Round.png?resize=600,319 600w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/09\/CC018-Round.png?resize=768,409 768w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/09\/CC018-Round.png 1080w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-orig-sizes=\"(max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px\" \/><\/a><figcaption>Comparison of the button from the Lincoln site and a NHDVS uniform button from the National VA History Center Permanent Collection. (VA)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The final object recovered from the site of the Lincoln statue is a Union Army belt plate. When it was new, these brass plates featured the image of an eagle with its wings outstretched and holding a banner that reads \u201c<em>E Pluribus Unum<\/em>\u201d, the de facto motto for the United States during the use-life of this object. While many of the design features are difficult to observe due to the objects condition, two wings and the body of an eagle are clearly visible. Closer inspection using state of the art digital imaging equipment revealed slightly more detail, including more of the eagles head and the scroll held in its beak. This design first appears in the Army\u2019s uniform regulations in 1851, then again in \u201857, \u201861, and \u201863. It was initially designated for use with the belt and saber for infantry non-commissioned officers. Some evidence suggests that this model of plate became less popular as the war went on due to the decline in the use of the sword, but other indicators suggest it was worn nearly universally by the officer corps through the entire conflict. Regardless, it is likely this buckle was a prized memento of some old Veteran\u2019s service and may have passed through several hands as an heirloom before ending up in the ground outside Putnam.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.kb-image115544_7ca985-62.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .kb-image115544_7ca985-62 .kb-image-is-ratio-size{max-width:602px;width:100%;}.wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image115544_7ca985-62.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image115544_7ca985-62 .kb-image-is-ratio-size{align-self:unset;}.kb-image115544_7ca985-62 figure{max-width:602px;}.kb-image115544_7ca985-62 .image-is-svg, .kb-image115544_7ca985-62 .image-is-svg img{width:100%;}.kb-image115544_7ca985-62 .kb-image-has-overlay:after{opacity:0.3;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-image kb-image115544_7ca985-62\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/09\/CC018-Beltplate.png\" class=\"kb-advanced-image-link\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1080\" height=\"1080\" src=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/09\/CC018-Beltplate.png?w=1080\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/09\/CC018-Beltplate.png?w=1080\" alt=\"Belt plates.\" class=\"lazyload kb-img wp-image-115536\" srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271080%27%20height%3D%271080%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%201080%201080%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%271080%27%20height%3D%271080%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/09\/CC018-Beltplate.png?resize=300,300 300w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/09\/CC018-Beltplate.png?resize=600,600 600w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/09\/CC018-Beltplate.png?resize=768,768 768w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/09\/CC018-Beltplate.png 1080w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-orig-sizes=\"(max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px\" \/><\/a><figcaption>Comparison of saber belt plate recovered from the site of the Lincoln statue and the 1851-style plate as it would have looked in its use-life. (VA)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.kb-image115544_45c6bb-a2.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .kb-image115544_45c6bb-a2 .kb-image-is-ratio-size{max-width:300px;width:100%;}.wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image115544_45c6bb-a2.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image115544_45c6bb-a2 .kb-image-is-ratio-size{align-self:unset;}.kb-image115544_45c6bb-a2 figure{max-width:300px;}.kb-image115544_45c6bb-a2 .image-is-svg, .kb-image115544_45c6bb-a2 .image-is-svg img{width:100%;}.kb-image115544_45c6bb-a2 .kb-image-has-overlay:after{opacity:0.3;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-image kb-image115544_45c6bb-a2\"><figure class=\"alignright size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/02\/history-feature-2022021407.jpg\" class=\"kb-advanced-image-link\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"497\" height=\"638\" src=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/02\/history-feature-2022021407.jpg?w=497\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/02\/history-feature-2022021407.jpg?w=497\" alt=\"Abraham Lincoln on November 8, 1863, little more than a week before he gave the Gettysburg Address.\" class=\"lazyload kb-img wp-image-103945\" srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%27497%27%20height%3D%27638%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%20497%20638%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%27497%27%20height%3D%27638%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/02\/history-feature-2022021407.jpg?resize=234,300 234w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/02\/history-feature-2022021407.jpg?resize=467,600 467w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/02\/history-feature-2022021407.jpg 497w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-orig-sizes=\"(max-width: 497px) 100vw, 497px\" \/><\/a><figcaption>Abraham Lincoln on November 8, 1863. (Library of Congress)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Whether in 1861, or in 1909, or even way off in 2024, Americans have sought to honor and memorialize the man credited as our greatest leader. The statue of Abraham Lincoln to be dedicated in Dayton in September 2024 represents the latest in a long line of monuments to the savior of the Union, and its construction provided a unique opportunity to engage with the material remains of the legacy he began.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>It all started when Bill DeFries, President of the American Veteran\u2019s Heritage Center (AVHC), lost his wedding ring at the construction site for the statue of Abraham Lincoln on the campus of the Dayton VA Medical Center. He requested the assistance of the Dayton Diggers, a local nonprofit whose mission is to \u201cresearch, recover, and document history\u201d through their use of metal detector survey. The machines used by Dayton Diggers emit an electromagnetic field that responds to metal objects hidden below the ground surface. When they pinpoint a target, they use minimally invasive excavation to remove the object from the soil. In addition to the misplaced wedding band, their team uncovered historic artifacts that can be used to understand the history of Veteran care here in Dayton.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":115538,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[16],"tags":[27,23,17,83,28,94],"class_list":["post-115544","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-curator-corner","tag-civil-war","tag-national-home-for-disabled-volunteer-soldiers","tag-national-va-history-center","tag-president-abraham-lincoln","tag-veterans-administration","tag-veterans-health-administration"],"parsely":{"version":"1.1.0","canonical_url":"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/lincoln-artifacts\/","smart_links":{"inbound":0,"outbound":0},"traffic_boost_suggestions_count":0,"meta":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","headline":"Lincoln&#8217;s Promise, Lincoln&#8217;s Legacy: Historic Artifacts Recovered from Site of Dayton Statue","url":"http:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/lincoln-artifacts\/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"http:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/lincoln-artifacts\/"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/09\/CC018-Lincoln-promise.png?w=300","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/09\/CC018-Lincoln-promise.png"},"articleSection":"Curator Corner","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Department of Veterans Affairs (smw)"}],"creator":["Department of Veterans Affairs (smw)"],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"VA History","logo":""},"keywords":["civil war","national home for disabled volunteer soldiers","national va history center","president abraham lincoln","veterans administration","veterans health 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