Springfield Museum’s Prize Stovepipe Hat Probably Didn’t Belong To Lincoln

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During the museum's dedication in 2005, a number of Lincoln impersonators were present, all wearing their own versions of the iconic stovepipe hat. (Nam Y. Huh/AP Photo/)
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During the museum's dedication in 2005, a number of Lincoln impersonators were present, all wearing their own versions of the iconic stovepipe hat. (Nam Y. Huh/AP Photo/)

Springfield Museum’s Prize Stovepipe Hat Probably Didn’t Belong To Lincoln

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What is a 150-year-old hat worn by President Abraham Lincoln worth today?

One Illinois museum coughed up a cool $6.5 million.

More than a decade ago, the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield purchased a collection of Lincoln’s possessions, including one of his iconic stovepipe hats.

Now, it looks like there is some serious doubt over whether the hat is the genuine article. Either way, the museum is out millions of dollars, and is now asking taxpayers to foot the bill.

Morning Shift talks to WBEZ’s Dave McKinney for more on the story behind the hat, and just how the FBI got involved.

GUEST: Dave McKinney, WBEZ state politics reporter

LEARN MORE: REPORT: Existing Evidence ‘Insufficient’ To Prove That Hat Belonged To Lincoln (WBEZ, 9/19/18)