Lloyd Ostendorf illustration: Abraham Lincoln’s last remarks to the citizens of Logan County at the railroad station in Lincoln on Nov. 22, 1860. Copyright Paul Beaver: "Abraham Lincoln in Logan County, 1834-1860"

Mount Pulaski hosting Lincoln events Friday and Saturday [February 08, 2011]  MOUNT PULASKI -- Mount Pulaski is celebrating Abraham Lincoln’s birthday with special events Friday and Saturday at the historic courthouse on the square.

Friday, Feb. 11

• 11 a.m. -- 150th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's Farewell Address in Springfield, marked with a reading of his farewell speech.

  The 150th anniversary commemoration of the Civil War (1861-1865) will begin on Feb. 11, exactly 150 years after Abraham Lincoln left Springfield from the Great Western Depot on his journey to Washington, D.C., as president-elect. There will be a simultaneous reading of Abraham Lincoln's Farewell Address at 11 a.m. CDT Feb. 11 at the Mount Pulaski Courthouse Historic Site and many other sites around Illinois and the nation. All are welcome. Please come early to get in place for the 11 a.m. reading

  Mount Pulaski Grade School and Mount. Pulaski Zion Lutheran School students will participate in the Farewell Address reading at their schools.

Saturday, Feb. 12

• 2 p.m. -- 1850s Cast-Iron Tombstone Trial re-enactment by Mount Pulaski High School Drama Club. Donna Koehler, director. Tickets required for all seats: $3 adults; students, children admitted free. Proceeds to Mount Pulaski High School Drama Club and Mount Pulaski Township Historical Society Museum.

• 3:30 p.m. -- Guy Fraker talks on 1850s Illinois Judicial Circuit. This research is to be published in Fraker’s new book on the 1850s Illinois 8th Judicial Circuit. Tickets required for all seats. Free.

• 5 p.m. -- 1850s Cast-Iron Tombstone Trial re-enactment by Mount Pulaski High School Drama Club. Donna Koehler, director. Tickets required for all seats: $3 for adults; students, children admitted free. Proceeds to Mount Pulaski High School Drama Club and Mount Pulaski Township Historical Society Museum.

• 7 p.m. -- Chris Vallillo presentation of Civil War ballads and history.
  
  Vallillo is a nationally acclaimed singer, songwriter and folk musician who makes the people and places of "unmetropolitan" America come to life in song. Performing on six-string and bottleneck slide guitars and harmonica, Vallillo weaves original, contemporary and traditional songs and narratives into a compelling and entertaining portrait of the history and lifestyles of the Midwest. He has been acclaimed by Dirty Linen magazine, among others. A recipient of an Illinois Arts Council Artist Fellowship Award for music composition, he was also a nominee for the Illinois Arts Council's Governor's Award for Individual Artist and has received many other awards and acclamations over the past 30 years. Tickets required for all seats. Free.

• Mary Todd Lincoln cake -- free servings.

Due to limited seating, all Feb. 12 events at the Mount Pulaski Courthouse require a ticket. Tickets may be obtained at Salt Creek Attic, 217-792-5117, or at the door.

[Text from files received from Phil Bertoni]