|
 Lincoln College history professor Ron Keller stated that the
purpose of the event was to look at new perspectives on how
Lincoln's legacy is important to this day, from how he is viewed
both globally and locally, to his character lessons, how he has been
viewed both positively and negatively, and how his legacy continues
to live on.
Lincoln's legacy on an international scale was the focus of the
Friday session presented by William Pederson, a political science
professor and Director of the International Lincoln Center at
Louisiana State University.
On Saturday, Lincoln scholars and historians presented topics
ranging from Lincoln's character, to loathing his legacy, to the
law's influence on Lincoln, and Lincoln's influence on the law.
Fritz Klein, Abraham Lincoln Interpreter at the Lincoln Institute
for Education, discussed his work in "Interpreting Lincoln's
Legacy."
 Klein is currently involved in a play about Lincoln right after he
is shot. In the role, Klein shows what is in Lincoln's mind after
the bullet hits him. Lincoln is first struggling to understand what
just happened to him, then wishing he could get advice, and finally
coming to terms with being shot. Klein noted that though it is based
on an historical event, it is very much an interpretation of
Lincoln's thoughts during these final moments.
When asked by an attendee if he is overwhelmed by representing
Lincoln's life, Klein asserted that he is often overwhelmed by the
responsibility of playing Lincoln, especially when asked a question
he does not know.
Beginning at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, the colloquium ended with a
panel discussion on “The Tangible Legacy in the Lands of Lincoln.”
Ron Keller stated that those on the panel are on the front lines
sharing Lincoln's history with one panelist leading a presidential
museum, one working with a Lincoln collection at an Indiana library,
one directing a heritage organization, and one leading Lincoln
walks.
Before the panel discussion, Keller asked panel members to share
how they are working to preserve Lincoln's legacy. Sara Gabbard,
Executive Director of the Friends of the Lincoln Collection of
Indiana and editor of the Lincoln Lore magazine, works with a
collection of Lincoln artifacts that includes thousands of books and
documents of Lincoln history and photos of Lincoln and his family.
She stated that the library is digitizing the collection to provide
more access to those interested in his life.
Sarah Watson, Executive Director of Looking for Lincoln Heritage
Coalition, says they are coordinating the work and efforts of the
Abraham Lincoln National Heritage area, which includes 42 central
Illinois counties, by helping to preserve and tell the story of the
life and times of Abraham Lincoln, keeping history alive and
bringing it to life.
Dr. James Cornelius, Curator of the Abraham Lincoln Collection at
the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, helps preserve
Lincoln artifacts and historic treasures, has written several
articles about Lincoln, and has done extensive research on Lincoln's
life. He said that the museum has 15 oil on canvas paintings about
Lincoln on display in rotation and hopes to put up Everett's copy of
the Gettysburg Address next February.
Guy Fraker, local Lincoln Historian & Eighth Judicial Circuit
expert, was a consultant and participant in a recent documentary
about Lincoln's life and is working to display more Lincoln
collections and encourage more reading and research about Lincoln.
Fraker noted that when he initially wanted to learn about the
Lincoln circuit, he looked at archives to find roads Lincoln
crossed. He said that are still a few around, such as an unpaved
road between Urbana and Danville.
Keller asked the panel about how they plan to compensate for budget
shortages and how it affects the telling of Lincoln's story.
Watson stated that resource development and fundraising help.
Gabbard reported that they have done capital campaigns in the past
and have eight million dollars in endowments for continuing
expenses. Dr. Cornelius pointed out that there are 18,000 museums in
the country. He says that working at the local level and sharing
living history through historical pageants is one way to continue
sharing stories. Also citing the local level, Fraker suggested that
promoting Lincoln heritage in towns helps.
When an audience member from Chicago asked about sites there, Dr.
Cornelius noted that there is a walking tour in Chicago.
Fritz Klein asked how much is being done in local communities to
connect the Lincoln heritage to tourism and Watson replied that in
some communities, it is about the interest level, but promotion is
key.
Another audience member said generating interest in the Looking for
Lincoln project can also help bring money to communities.
When Keller inquired about what other states are doing to share
Lincoln's history, Tom Mackie, who lives in Tennessee, said that
Tennessee has networked with national parks to help make Abraham
Lincoln's life a centerpiece of tourism activities.
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Asked by an audience member if Kentucky, Indiana, and Illinois have
continued to coordinate to tell their stories, Watson said that
these states are working together to reinvigorate the story of
Lincoln's life in the Midwest.
Keller questioned the panel about how to make Lincoln's legacy
relevant to people of other races. Fraker said he is deeply
disturbed by seeming lack of interest and reported that he would
love to share Lincoln's story with more African American youth
because there is no better example than Abraham Lincoln to show that
freedom was important.
Watson said the heritage coalition is putting together a camp for
next summer where they will discuss the topic of citizenship and tie
it in to emancipation.
Dr. Cornelius stated that he would like to get the message of
Lincoln as a self-made man out to more people both locally and
globally.
John Barr, Lincoln scholar and history professor in Texas, said that
we need to remember race problems started in the 1900s soon after
emancipation and he believes there needs to be better treatment of
people from other races in order to generate interest in Lincoln's
legacy.
Klein believes that we need to know how to address young people
and find out what they are thinking.
One audience member suggested that part of the problem is some
people's general lack of interest in history, which Barr said is not
a new problem.
As the session drew to a close, Keller asked the panel what
Lincoln's legacy should be?
Dr. Cornelius said that when international college students come in
to the museum, they often do not understand our government system,
so he feels that Lincoln's legacy was to change history peacefully.
Gabbard finds the best moments are when school children "discretely"
come and ask her how they can learn about Lincoln's life.
Fraker stated that Lincoln's legacy are his lessons to keep your eye
on the prize, listen to the other side, never be doctrinaire, and
appreciate people that disagree with you.
In closing, Keller suggested that making a difference in the world
is one way to lead on Lincoln's legacy.
After the sessions, Tom McLaughlin, the new director of the Lincoln
Heritage Museum said, "It has been an amazing weekend with lively
discussions and more people than expected attending." Robin
McClallen, museum assistant, said that there were around 80 or 90
attending. McLaughlin said, "It was great to see so many Lincoln
enthusiasts coming to the campus."
Those who came to the Colloquium acknowledged that it was a great
weekend. Roger Rudich said that he attends every year and hears
great speakers and this year speakers were especially great.
Francie Staggs, who works as a volunteer at the Abraham Lincoln
Presidential Museum, said she especially enjoyed listening to Fritz
Klein, having seen him portray Lincoln in "Last Full Measure," the
play about Lincoln's thoughts during his last moments. Staggs also
found Dr. Douglas Wilson's session "Abraham Lincoln: Character or
Calculation?" interesting especially when he suggested that Lincoln
was secretive because he had a lack of candor, held things in, and
gave no full disclosure. She wondered if these traits had to do with
his childhood.
150 years after Lincoln's assassination, he is still considered by
many to be one of the greatest presidents, and the colloquium
brought new perspectives on Lincoln's presidency and his ongoing
legacy to enthusiasts from across the country.
[Angela Reiners] |
