Artists dressing up Springfield with Lincoln hats

SPRINGFIELD -- Anyone driving or walking around Illinois' capital city this summer might spot a a 3-foot-tall version of President Lincoln's black stovepipe hat.

And another. And another. And another.

More than a dozen artists from Springfield and beyond are designing their own variations on Lincoln's signature head gear.

The hats are part of a Rotary Club project and will be mounted on concrete bases and placed around the city around Memorial Day.

Springfield artist Annette Johnson calls her fiberglass hat "Lincoln Springfield." It will be decorated with scenes from familiar Lincoln spots around town such as the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum and the president's home.

Some of the hats will be smaller for storefront displays.