LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The city of Louisville is searching for a stolen piece of a prized statue.

On Dec. 11, 2023, it was reported that Abraham Lincoln’s hat is missing from a bronze sculpture at Waterfront Park. 

What You Need To Know

  • The Abraham Lincoln sculpture in Waterfront Park has been vandalized 

  • The statue’s hat is missing

  • In the 14 years the statue has been at Waterfront Park, there has been very little vandalism

  • The hat will be replaced if found or remade

The statue sits in a spot where artist Ed Hamilton imagined Lincoln finding some peace. 

“I envisioned him walking through the area, coming down the waterfront area, saw this big monolith sitting here, took off his hat, set his books down, and just took a notion to sit down and relax,” Hamilton said.

He built this bronze Abraham Lincoln sculpture in 2008 to help honor the Kentucky native. 

The 16th President of the United States wore a tall top hat.

“He would put some of his speeches in his head. Yes, he would wear it, put them down in there, in his pocket, in his head. And that was a trademark of his,” Hamilton added.

But, the sculpture in Louisville’s Waterfront Park has been missing the iconic hat for about a week. 

Hamilton told Spectrum News 1, “It is sad that people are destroying something that means a lot and means a lot to the community, means a lot to people, means a lot to Abraham Lincoln aficionados.”

Deborah Bilitski is the president of the Waterfront Development Corporation. 

She said around 2.2 million visitors come to Waterfront Park every year. 

But in the 14 years Lincoln has been sitting here, she says there has been very little vandalism. 

Louisville Metro Police Department and other city leaders are investigating the crime. 

“We’re taking this very seriously. Something like this is really something that is a shame that it happened in this space. And we know that the community is very disheartened and saddened by this event and this incident,” Bilitski said.

Hamilton is confused why someone would want or need this very heavy hat. 

“All I want you to do is bring the hat back. You can’t wear it. You’re not going to get much money for it if you try to scrap it, you know?,” Hamilton says. 

And whether it’s returned or remade, Hamilton and Metro Louisville plan to restore the homage to the only president born in the state of Kentucky. 

If you have any details about the missing piece of the sculpture, you are asked to contact LMPD at the anonymous tip line at 502-574-LMPD (5673).

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