Title Page & Abstract

An Interview with Hal Smith
Part of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library
Organizations & Agencies – Looking for Lincoln Oral History project
Interview # LFL-A-L-2018-076

Hal Smith, former Executive Director for Looking for Lincoln and the Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area was interviewed on the date listed below as part of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library’s Organizations & Agencies – Looking for Lincoln Oral History project.
Interview dates & location:
Date: November 8, 2018
Location: Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library, Springfield, IL
Interview Format: Digital audio
Interviewer: Heather Wickens, ALPL volunteer
Total Time: 0:58 / 0.97 hrs.
Session 1: Role as executive director of Looking for Lincoln.
Accessioned into the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Archives on February 5, 2019.
The interview is archived at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library in Springfield, Illinois.

© 2018 Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library

Abstract
Hal Smith, Looking for Lincoln, LFL-A-L-2018-076

Biographical Information/Overview of Interview: Hal Smith was born on November 22, 1950 in Springfield, Illinois and grew up in the community. Following his graduation from Springfield High School in 1968, he attended Springfield College and the University of Illinois Springfield (then Sangamon State University) and earned a bachelor’s degree in business in 1972 and a master’s degree in public administration in 1976. From 1977 to 1985 Smith worked for Senator Charles H. Percy, then moved to the private sector.
Hal Smith became the executive director of the Looking for Lincoln Heritage Coalition in February 2008 and served as its executive director until December 2010. After leaving Looking for Lincoln, he returned to the private sector, retiring in 2015. At the time of the interview he served as Springfield director for Congressman Darin LaHood.

This interview covers Hal’s work as Executive Director of the Looking for Lincoln Heritage Coalition and the Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area. The conversation focuses on Smith’s role as executive director from 2008-2010 and what was accomplished during his tenure.

Subject Headings/Key Words: Senator Charles Percy; Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area; Looking for Lincoln; Looking for Lincoln Heritage Coalition; Illinois Historic Preservation Agency (IHPA); Nicky Stratton; Kay Smith; Sheila Blodgett; Sarah Watson; Robert Crosby; Jeanette Cowden; Sue Pridemore (National Park Service); Tom Martin; Brett Stawar;

Note to the Reader: Readers of the oral history memoir should bear in mind that this is a transcript of the spoken word, and that the interviewer, interviewee and editor sought to preserve the informal, conversational style that is inherent in such historical sources. The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library is not responsible for the factual accuracy of the memoir, nor for the views expressed therein. We leave these for the reader to judge.

COPYRIGHT
The following material can be used for educational and other non-commercial purposes without the written permission of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library. “Fair use” criteria of Section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976 must be followed. These materials are not to be deposited in other repositories, nor used for resale or commercial purposes without the authorization from the Audio-Visual Curator at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library, 112 N. 6th Street, Springfield, Illinois 62701. Telephone (217) 785-7955