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ITD's Conner participates in unveiling of Lincoln statue

Nearly 400 people gathered outside the Idaho Capitol Feb. 12 amid swirling snowflakes to witness the re-unveiling of the Lincoln statue on the 200th anniversary of the president’s birthday.

ITD’s Judi Conner, who works in the Division of Highways training unit at Headquarters, was among the speakers during the one-hour ceremony that included a host of dignitaries, historic vignettes and several student groups.

Conner, whose great-great grandmother was a member of the Ladies of the Grand Army of the Republic auxiliary, read a short letter about the dedication in 1915.

The LGAR commissioned the original Lincoln statue that originally stood outside the Veteran’s Home. It later was moved to the Fort Boise. Conner’s family heirlooms contained the only two known photographs of the initial installation – one taken at the completion of its old base and another that captured placement of the statue.

She let the bicentennial commission use the photographs to commemorate the Feb. 12 installation.

One of the photographs includes Conner’s great-great grandmother Lucy (Lucretia) Critchlow Taylor whose first husband Thomas Holt Critchlow fought for the Union Army in the Civil War. Lucy likely became involved with the LGAR while married to second husband Aaron Taylor, who also was a Civil War veteran.

Members of the Lincoln Bicentennial Commission commissioned a minor restoration of the statue and arranged for a new base across from the south entrance of the Idaho Capitol.

“The family appreciates being included in the rededication and being allowed the opportunity to make a connection to our past,” Conner said.