Am I the only one with a Lincoln Boyhood Home license plate?

I renewed my Indiana license plate a few weeks ago at the Waynedale BMV branch. 

The plate I chose was the new commemorative Abe Lincoln Boyhood Home plate.

There is no additional cost.  It is considered one of the regular plates along with "In God We Trust" and the plate featuring the torch of the Indiana state flag.

It may be a free plate but it is "special" in that it has been made available to commemorate the bicenntennial of Abe Lincoln's birth.  As every Hoosier school child should know - our 16th President spent his formative years growing up in southern Indiana.

Since I have affixed it to my Ford I have been scouring cars in Allen County to see if any other motorist has acquired the Abe Lincoln license plate.  I have not seen the first one.  Not one.

Now, it takes a little while to receive the Lincoln plate. The plate is mailed to you within a week or so of renewing in person.  In the meantime, the BMV issues a temporary cardboard plate.  That may have something to do with it.

However, it is also a matter of promotion.  So, FWOb is doing its bit to exhort our readers to park a Lincoln in your driveway.

Comments

[Cathy]

I wanted to get one, but when I renewed our plates online, it was not a choice. Darn!

Ed. note: I talked with the BMV's Julie Fletcher this morning. The actual plates do require a trip to the BMV.

You may exchange your plate for an Abe Lincoln plate. However, there will be a $10 fee for doing so.

[Scott Spaulding]

Still sporting the Environmental plate on your SUV?

Ed. note: Or as we prefer to call it here - a Chevy truck.

The old Suburban has not been racking up many miles lately.

Yes. I still have the Hoosier Environmental plate. The fee from the plate is a donation to the Indiana Heritage Trust.

As the BMV site explains: "This trust fund was established to secure more lands for conservation, recreation and preservation purposes."

I like to think it helps acquire lands such as the Little River Wetlands Corridor.

[brian stouder]

I will certainly get the Lincoln plate at renewal time, but with my last name, that won't be 'til September.

Meanwhile, my heart grows heavier every time I visit the good ol' Lincoln Museum, as the day it closes grows closer.

Note that visiting there is now FREE - and if you haven't been there - or haven't been there recently - you really, truly should load up the young folks and get down there - BEFORE June 30.

They have two superb temporary exhibits -"Vote For Me", with all sorts of interesting campaign ephemera on display; and "Insuring Lincoln's Image", a genuinely fascinating look at Lincoln Life's commissioned art works and advertising materials from the '20s & '30's. This struck me in particular, given the forthrightly respectful way that the company highlighted Lincoln's image and legacy then....and the way they currently portray the 16th president*.

The permanent display - Lincoln and the American Experience, is superb - including short (3 minutes, give or take) movie loops, hands-on displays, and actual artifacts.

Don't miss it!

*I have seen a commercial where Lincoln is reduced to being a caddy for some golfing customers; and another where he rows a boat -which WOULD be somewhat in keeping with Lincoln's life, if the had him as a youth on the Mississippi, rather than as a stovepipe hat-wearing president!

Plainly, times have changed.

[Jason Blosser]

Yes, you are the only one.