“It’s good to be in Salem. I always love coming to Columbiana County and this beautiful plaza will be an excellent addition to the community, it will be a great gathering place and is very appropriate with the city’s abolitionist history,” said Gov. Mike DeWine.

In addition to the unveiling of the 7-foot, 2-inch tall, 600-pound statue of the 16th president, the ceremony featured an invocation by Rev. Daniel Hardy of Allegheny Wesleyan College, a formal presentation of the colors with a rifle salute, live music by the Salem High School Marching Band and the McIntire Family, and comments by Mayor Cyndi Baronzzi Dickey, DeWine, Ohio Rep. Monica Robb Blasdel, and Columbiana County Board of Commissioners Chair Mike Halleck.

U.S. Rep. Michael Rulli was also originally slated to offer remarks but was unable to attend. Dickey said that Rulli was pivotal in securing the initial grant funding for the project from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, and in fighting for the project’s inclusion in the Ohio State Capital Budget in the Ohio Senate while Blasdel championed the project in the Ohio House of Representatives.

Dickey’s opening remarks were of gratitude, thanking many local, county and state leaders, and local residents and businesses for their dedication in making Lincoln Plaza a reality, emphasizing how pivotal their efforts had been.

Mayor Cyndi Baronzzi Dickey served as the ceremony’s mistress of ceremonies and thanked a long list of elected officials, local businesses and community volunteers who made the Lincoln Plaza project possible. Dickey also discussed Salem’s proud history of civil rights advocacy, from its involvement in the emancipation movement and the underground railroad, to the women’s suffrage movement hosting the first women’s rights convention in the state of Ohio and the second in the nation. (Photo by Morgan Ahart)

“I’m so incredibly proud of the community that came together, and all the officials that gave their support to make this happen. We couldn’t have done this without them. I’m proud of everyone’s dedication and the hard work they did to make this a reality,” said Dickey.

Dickey also emphasized the city’s history of advocating for civil rights as a hub for the underground railroad in the state with 13 stops preserved throughout the city, and as an early stronghold for the women’s suffrage movement hosting the first women’s rights convention in the state of Ohio, only the second of its kind nationwide.

DeWine said that he was happy to be back in Salem, and that he loves visiting Columbiana County when he has the opportunity. DeWine said that dedicating the plaza in Lincoln’s memory was appropriate given the state and the city’s abolitionist history as it is estimated that half of all slaves who fled bondage on the underground railroad traveled through the state of Ohio and that Salem, was justly proud of its role in that process.

“I don’t know of any community prouder of its participation in the great abolitionist tradition than Salem, Ohio,” said DeWine.

DeWine said that Lincoln also had a direct tie to Columbiana County, having visited Wellsville as part of a tour to ensure unity in the northern states ahead of his 1861 inauguration and the onset of the Civil War. That legacy of unity is something that DeWine said continues to inspire the nation at large, and the Salem community in particular.

Ohio Representative Monica Robb Blasdel said that she believed Lincoln Plaza would become a community hub not only for Salem but for future visitors, and that it had been an honor to do her part in bringing the project to fruition by championing its inclusion in the state capital budget. (Photo by Morgan Ahart)

“In a day and age where we are so divided, we continue to look to [Lincoln] and his legacy. We continue to be inspired by him today, by the things he said, and by his vision of unity,” said DeWine.

DeWine said that the ceremony marked “a bright day in Salem, a bright day in Columbiana County, and in the state,” and thanked everyone who worked to make Lincoln Plaza a reality.

“I want to thank everybody who had a part of this, and as governor of the state of Ohio I want to tell you how proud I am to be here today and how proud I am of this plaza,” he added.

Blasdel said that Lincoln Plaza was “a wonderful addition” to the city and that Salem “is known for its rich heritage that we continue to embrace today, preserving the city’s past, showcasing artifacts and stories that highlight its contributions to the abolitionist movement and women’s rights,” causes to which the city’s residents held unwavering dedication. Blasdel said that it had “been an honor to help support the completion of this project through the state capital budget and to be with you today to celebrate this milestone in the city’s history.”

Halleck also reflected on Lincoln’s enduring legacy, echoing the words of Lincoln’s Secretary of War Edwin Stanton following his passing that “now he belongs to the ages,” referring to Lincoln as “one of the most immortal Americans we’ve ever had.” Halleck said that there are over 600 schools, thousands of roads “and lots more” which bear Lincoln’s name, and that “he shall always be in the hearts of those of us who live in Salem.”

Monday saw the official dedication ceremony for Lincoln Plaza which featured a presentation of the colors, the unveiling of a statue of Abraham Lincoln and remarks from city, county and state officials including, from left, Mayor Cyndi Baronzzi Dickey, Gov. Mike DeWine, center and Columbiana County Board of Commissioners Chair Mike Halleck. (Photo by Morgan Ahart)

“On behalf of the board of commissioners and my fellow office holders at courthouse I want to say thank you Salem, I want to say thank you to the administration Mayor Dickey as well as the [City] Council, and I would be remiss if I didn’t thank David Johnson for sharing the committee that made all of this possible,” said Halleck. “This is a beautiful asset and a great entree for those that are driving into the city from the north and the south; and Gov. DeWine, I’m not so sure you’re not a resident, you’ve been here for so many years. Thank you all very much and have a Merry Christmas.”

Columbiana County Board of Commissioners Chair Mike Halleck reflected on the importance of Abraham Lincoln during his lifetime and his enduring legacy. (Photo by Morgan Ahart)

The opening invocation was offered by Rev. Daniel Hardy Sr. of Allegheny Wesleyan College. (Photo by Morgan Ahart)

Gov. Mike DeWine said that he was happy to be back in Salem and Columbiana County, and that Salem and Ohio’s abolitionist history made Abraham Lincoln an ideal figure to name the plaza in honor of, noting that approximately half of all the slaves who fled bondage traveled through the state of Ohio on the underground railroad and that he didn’t know any community that was more proud of its role in that abolitionist tradition. (Photo by Morgan Ahart)

The McIntire Family offered live choral performances during Monday’s ceremony, singing the national anthem and “God Bless America.” (Photo by Morgan Ahart)

As part of the ceremony the Salem AMVETS Post 45 Honor Guard held a formal presentation of the colors at Lincoln Plaza’s veteran memorial, which also included a rifle salute, and a patriotic medley performed by the Salem High School Marching Band. (Photo by Morgan Ahart)

Elected officials from across Columbiana County and the state of Ohio came together with residents to celebrate the official dedication of Lincoln Plaza Monday. Shown from left are Columbiana County Commissioner Roy Paparodis, Columbiana County Commissioner-elect Tim Ginter, Mayor Cyndi Baronzzi Dickey, Gov. Mike DeWine, Columbiana County Board of Commissioners Chair Mike Halleck, Columbiana County Republican Party Chairman David Johnson, former mayor John Berlin and Abraham Lincoln portrayed by John King. (Photo by Morgan Ahart)