The civil war began after 11 southern states, known as the Confederacy, split from the north over the rights of states, including slavery. In 1863, Lincoln announced that slavery would end. Two years later, the south surrendered and the United States was preserved.

Avant say even though President Lincoln was controversial, he was admired.

"It has a lot to do with his leadership style, his personality and the things that he championed," Avant noted. "The fact that he could relate to the common person because he had come from humble roots himself."

The center also shows American presidents and world leaders who have quoted President Lincoln on topics like courage, equality and tolerance.

"His writing encompassed really big ideas, championed important issues, but he wrote in an elegant but very simple style which was not really the tradition at the time," Avant added.

Visitor Wendy Taylor found the center remarkable. “I love the way that it encourages people... to think about some of the values that Lincoln stood for to make the world they live in a better place," said Taylor.

To make that point, the center has created a video of average Americans today quoting the principles President Lincoln stood for.