USC Subchapter XXIII

in effect

16 U.S.C. § 211 Acceptance of title; terms and conditions; admission fees

The United States of America accepts title to the lands mentioned in the deed of gift or conveyance in possession of the Secretary of War on July 17, 1916, together with all the buildings and appurtenances thereon, especially the log cabin in which Abraham Lincoln was born and the memorial hall inclosing the same, which deed of conveyance was executed on the 11th day of April, 1916, by the Lincoln Farm Association, a corporation, to the United States of America, describing certain lands situated near the town of Hodgenville, county of Larue, State of Kentucky, which lands are more particularly identified and described in said deed or conveyance. The title to such lands, buildings, and appurtenances is accepted upon the terms and conditions stated in said deed or conveyance, namely: That the land therein described, together with the buildings and appurtenances thereon, shall be forever dedicated to the purposes of a national park or reservation, the United States of America agreeing to protect and preserve the said lands, buildings, and appurtenances, and especially the log cabin in which Abraham Lincoln was born and the memorial hall inclosing the same, from spoliation, destruction, and further disintegration, to the end that they may be preserved for all time, so far as may be; and further agreeing that there shall never be any charge or fee made to or asked from the public for admission to the said park or reservation.

16 U.S.C. § 212 Endowment fund; protection and preservation

The United States of America also accepts title to the endowment fund of $50,000 mentioned in the assignment and transfer, in the possession of the Secretary of War, on July 17, 1916, which assignment and transfer was executed on the 11th day of April, 1916, by the Lincoln Farm Association, a corporation, to the United States of America, transferring and turning over all its right, title, and interest in and to said endowment fund, heretofore invested in certain stocks, bonds, and securities held and owned by the Lincoln Farm Association, and more particularly identified and described in said assignment and transfer. The title to said endowment fund is accepted upon the terms and conditions stated in said assignment and transfer, namely, that the United States of America shall forever keep the said tract of land described in said deed, together with the buildings and appurtenances thereunto belonging, dedicated to the purpose of a national park or reservation, and that there shall never be any charge or fee made to or asked from the public for admission to the said park or reservation; and further, shall forever protect, preserve, and maintain said land, buildings, and appurtenances, and especially the log cabin in which Abraham Lincoln was born and the memorial hall inclosing the same, from spoliation, destruction, and further disintegration, to the end that they may be preserved for all time, as far as may be, as a national park or reservation.

16 U.S.C. § 213 Execution of instruments necessary to carry out purposes of gift

The President of the United States of America and the Secretary of War are authorized to execute, in the name of the United States of America, such instrument or instruments as may be or may become necessary to comply with or carry out the terms and conditions of such gift or gifts and to secure the full benefit therefrom.

16 U.S.C. § 214 Rules and regulations

Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park shall be under the control of the National Park Service and administered under such regulations not inconsistent with law as it may from time to time prescribe.

16 U.S.C. § 215 Improvements and preservation of lands and buildings

For the purpose of protecting from disintegration and of improving, beautifying, and preserving the Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park or Reservation established under sections 211 to 214 of this title, the National Park Service is authorized and directed to provide for (1) the improvement of such existing roadways, walks, and buildings in such park or reservation; and (2) the planting of such trees, plants, and shrubbery; the construction of such additional roadways, walks, and buildings, and of such fences, parking spaces, drainage structures, culverts, and bridges; and the making of such other improvements, as in its judgment may be necessary for the preservation, beautification, and protection from disintegration of such park or reservation, including the log cabin in which Abraham Lincoln was born and the memorial hall inclosing the same, and which may serve to render such park or reservation convenient for the appropriate use and enjoyment by the public.

16 U.S.C. § 216 Authorization of appropriation

There is authorized to be appropriated the sum of $100,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary, to carry out the provisions of section 215 of this title; and authorization is also given for such appropriations as may, in the future, be deemed necessary for the proper protection, preservation, care, maintenance, and operation of the said national park or reservation, including the salaries and compensation of a superintendent and other needed employees.

16 U.S.C. § 217 Change in name of Abraham Lincoln National Park

The Abraham Lincoln National Park, in the State of Kentucky, authorized by sections 211 to 214 of this title, shall hereafter be called and known as the “Abraham Lincoln National Historical Park”, and all moneys heretofore or hereafter appropriated for this area under previous designations may be used in this area as redesignated.

16 U.S.C. § 217a Change in name of Abraham Lincoln National Historical Park

The Abraham Lincoln National Historical Park at Hodgenville, Kentucky, shall on and after September 8, 1959, be known as Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historic Site, and any law, regulation, document, or record of the United States in which such historical park is designated or referred to under the name of Abraham Lincoln National Historic Park shall be held to refer to such historical park under and by the name of Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historic Site.

16 U.S.C. § 217b Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park

(a) DesignationThe Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historic Site in the State of Kentucky shall be known and designated as the “Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park”. (b) ReferencesAny reference in a law, map, regulation, document, paper, or other record of the United States to the Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historic Site shall be deemed to be a reference to the “Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park”.

16 U.S.C. § 218 Addition of land

The approximately six acres of land described in the following recorded deeds to the United States are added to and made a part of the Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park in the State of Kentucky: (a) Deed of conveyance to the United States, dated June 15, 1945, made and entered into by and between J. R. Howell and Mattie Johnson Howell, his wife, and W. L. Ferrill and Minnie Ferrill, his wife, of Hodgenville, Larue County, Kentucky, recorded on June 25, 1946, in deed book numbered 58, page 262, in the records of the county of Larue, Kentucky; and (b) Quitclaim deed to the United States, made and entered into by and between Carl J. Howell and Dorothy N. Howell, his wife, of Hodgenville, Larue County, Kentucky, recorded on April 18, 1947, in deed book numbered 59, page 435, in the records of the county of Larue, Kentucky.

16 U.S.C. § 218a Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park, Kentucky

(a) In generalUpon acquisition of the land known as Knob Creek Farm pursuant to subsection (b), the boundary of the Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park, established by sections 211 to 214 of this title, is revised to include such land. Lands acquired pursuant to this section shall be administered by the Secretary of the Interior as part of the historic site. (b) Acquisition of Knob Creek FarmThe Secretary of the Interior may acquire, by donation only, the approximately 228 acres of land known as Knob Creek Farm in Larue County, Kentucky, as generally depicted on a map entitled “Knob Creek Farm Unit, Abraham Lincoln National Historic Site”, numbered 338/80,077, and dated October 1998. Such map shall be on file and available for public inspection in the appropriate offices of the National Park Service. (c) Study and reportThe Secretary of the Interior shall study the Knob Creek Farm in Larue County, Kentucky, and not later than 1 year after November 6, 1998, submit a report to the Congress containing the results of the study. The purpose of the study shall be to:(1) Identify significant resources associated with the Knob Creek Farm and the early boyhood of Abraham Lincoln. (2) Evaluate the threats to the long-term protection of the Knob Creek Farm’s cultural, recreational, and natural resources. (3) Examine the incorporation of the Knob Creek Farm into the operations of the Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park and establish a strategic management plan for implementing such incorporation. In developing the plan, the Secretary shall—(A) determine infrastructure requirements and property improvements needed at Knob Creek Farm to meet National Park Service standards; (B) identify current and potential uses of Knob Creek Farm for recreational, interpretive, and educational opportunities; and (C) project costs and potential revenues associated with acquisition, development, and operation of Knob Creek Farm. (d) AuthorizationThere are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out subsection (c).