Abraham Lincoln library in Springfield gets new director

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield has a new director.

Alan Lowe, 52, began the position Monday, The State Journal-Register (http://bit.ly/2a1bwJM ) reported. Lowe has spent 20 years working with presidential libraries and museums operated by the National Archives, including the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.

Lowe was most recently the director of the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum in Dallas, where he oversaw its development, design, construction and operation.

"The thought of being able to be the director of a library and museum dedicated to his legacy and to use that as a platform to be able to reach people, teach, inspire - it's kind of hard to beat that," Lowe said. "When I heard about the possibility, I couldn't resist it."

Lowe says he researched how Illinois' unresolved budget issues could affect the Lincoln library and museum and that he feels confident it has bipartisan support.

"When I first started talking to folks during the interview process I asked questions about the financial future of the library," Lowe said. "I was assured that this is a place that has great, bipartisan support. I took that as a good sign. I had no qualms at that point."

Lowe says one of his first memories from childhood is visiting Abraham Lincoln's birthplace. He also has a dog named Abraham Lincoln.

Lowe replaces Eileen Mackevich who resigned from the position in October, saying that Gov. Bruce Rauner suggested that he wanted to go in a different direction.

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Information from: The State Journal-Register, http://www.sj-r.com