A berry good evening with Mary
Lincoln Presidential Library re-creates one of Mary Lincoln’s famed strawberry socials June 11

[June 09, 2015]  SPRINGFIELD – Mary Lincoln loved to throw strawberry parties, where she helped her husband’s career by charming top Illinois politicians with good conversation and delicious berries and cream. The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum will re-create one of those grand events June 11.

The evening will feature food and music, information on 19th century manners, clothing and poetry, and an appearance by Mrs. Lincoln herself in the form of historic interpreter Pam Brown.

The event begins at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 11. For tickets, visit www.PresidentLincoln .Illinois.gov  and click on “special event reservations” or call [phone].

Mary Lincoln loved politics, but there was little she could do to help her husband’s career directly in an era when women’s roles were restricted. So she helped indirectly by being a tireless hostess, listening for political intelligence and sizing up the men who might help or hurt her husband politically.

The presidential library’s strawberry social will give participants a glimpse of Mary Lincoln’s world in a fun – and delicious – way.

History educator Charla Byers will discuss the clothing and fashions of Mary Lincoln’s time. Carol Manning, education coordinator at the presidential library, will explain manners of the day. Sheila Walk of the Springfield Area Arts Council will describe Mary Lincoln’s love of poetry throughout her life.

The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum holds an unparalleled collection of Lincoln documents, photographs, artifacts and art. It also has some 12 million items pertaining to all aspects of Illinois history, making the library one of the nation’s leading institutions for genealogy and history research.

The museum is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. For information on all our events, visit www.TenYearsLincoln.com.

[Chris Wills, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum]