One of the first initiated in memory of the assassinated president,[3] the monument was designed by neoclassical sculptor Randolph Rogers and completed in 1871.

[2] The granite base is in three sections: The upper section features four bronze plaques depicting a laurel wreath and crossed swords (east), crossed American flags (west), the Seal of the City of Philadelphia (north), and the Great Seal of the United States (south).

[1]: 63  Chaired by Mayor Alexander Henry, the Association rapidly raised $22,000 to commission a monument for the city honoring the late president of the United States.

[6] The sculptor justified his seated figure: "Mr. Lincoln in a sitting posture holding in one hand the Emancipation Proclamation, and a pen in the other, his eyes turned toward heaven, asking the Almighty for his approval for the act.

[8] Rogers, an American expatriate who trained and lived most of his life in Italy, created the Columbus Doors for the U.S. Capitol, 1855–1861.

[10]The Association's chosen site for the Lincoln Monument was the center of the intersection of North Broad Street and Girard Avenue, but this plan was abandoned in 1869, for Fairmount Park.

To give eclat to the occasion various functionaries connected with the national and State Governments, the corporate authorities of the city, literary and scientific bodies, and a number of citizens distinguished by services and merit were invited to attend.

The entire volunteer force of the first military division paraded, and numerous commanderies of the Knights Templars, in their gorgeous costumes, also assisted.

[11] McMichael began with a greeting, recounted the major events of the Civil War and Lincoln's assassination, the President's funeral procession in Philadelphia and lying in state at Independence Hall, and concluded with a quote from the Gettysburg Address.

[1]: 81  The dedication ceremony was followed by a grand military parade, "which embraced the First Division of Pennsylvania Volunteers, under Maj.-Gen. Charles M. Prevost and four brigades under Brig.-Gens.

"[5] In January 2002, the Lincoln Monument was relocated about 100 ft (30 m) to the north side of Kelly Drive, and the traffic circle was eliminated.