Postville Courthouse observes Abe's birthday Feb. 11

[January 20, 2012]  The volunteers of Postville Courthouse along with members of Lincoln's Logan County Arts & Craft Guild once again invite you to attend their birthday celebration to honor Abraham Lincoln. Every year this state historic site celebrates the birthday of Abraham Lincoln, who once practiced law in the original courthouse that was at the site. This year's observance will be on Feb. 11.

A full schedule of events will kick off at 10 a.m. with an invocation led by the Rev. Simon Taabu from Holy Family Catholic Church and the Pledge of Allegiance led by Girl Scout Troops 6608 and 6053.

Brian "Fox" Ellis will be the featured speaker. He has been touring the world since 1980, sharing stories and song, myth and poetry. His morning presentations at 10:30 and 11:30 will cover Lincoln's early life, and the afternoon presentations at 1 and 2:30 p.m. will cover William Herndon's law partnership with Lincoln.

A new addition to the festivities will be an Abraham Lincoln scavenger hunt. The questions for this quiz-like contest are available at Postville Courthouse, Lincoln Heritage Museum, Lincoln Public Library, the Abraham Lincoln Tourism Bureau of Logan County office, and online at http://www.abe66.com/ and http://www.postvillecourthouse.com/. Participants who score at least 50 points on the quiz will be entered into a drawing, with 10 prizes to be awarded at noon during the birthday celebration.

Abraham Lincoln interpreter Gary Simpkins will welcome and visit with guests, and period music will be provided by John Sutton and friends throughout the afternoon. Postville volunteers will conduct tours, while members of the craft guild will serve birthday cake and punch. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Lincoln was a lawyer on the 8th Judicial Circuit before becoming president of the United States. The original courthouse was purchased by Henry Ford in 1929 and moved to Dearborn, Mich. The courthouse that stands today is a replica that was built in 1953 as part of Lincoln's centennial celebration.

[Text from file received from Abraham Lincoln Tourism Bureau of Logan County]