WSEC/PBS Springfield airs 'Lincoln Stories'

Logan County segment re-airing tonight at 6:30

[October 13, 2008]  SPRINGFIELD -- WSEC-TV/PBS Springfield is airing "Lincoln Stories," a five-part series on Abraham Lincoln's life and times in central Illinois. The program, hosted by Mark McDonald, was produced with assistance of the Abraham Lincoln Association and a grant from the Illinois Lincoln Bicentennial Commission.

Episode one of "Lincoln Stories" depicts what Abraham Lincoln's life was like in New Salem. Living history interpreters explain how he evolved from shopkeeper to postmaster to store owner to deputy county surveyor, while studying law for his future political career.

Episode two begins in Lincoln and moves around Logan County to Cornland, Atlanta and Mount Pulaski, where buildings still stand in which Lincoln worked and stayed. Episode two aired yesterday but will be rerun this evening at 6:30.

In episode three, viewers learn about Lincoln's "Almanac Trial," a famous murder trial that Lincoln won in Beardstown. This program also covers a site on the Illinois River where Lincoln mustered troops for the Blackhawk War.

The fourth episode of "Lincoln Stories" takes place in McLean County, an area that supported Lincoln in a major way during his political campaigns. The David Davis mansion and a building that housed Lincoln's circuit office are explored.

The fifth episode takes place in Springfield and Quincy, where a newly elected President Lincoln and unsuccessful candidate Stephen A. Douglas look back at the 1858 debates and how they shaped the political landscape of 1861.

"Lincoln Stories" airs Thursdays at 7 p.m. in October. Each week's program will repeat on Sundays at 4 p.m. and Mondays at 6:30 p.m.

[Text from file received by WSEC; LDN staff]