Local landmarks and Lincoln Heritage Museum host special events for Abraham Lincoln’s Birthday

 

[February 14, 2022] 

On Saturday the Postville Courthouse and Mount Pulaski Courthouse celebrated Lincoln’s Birthday while the Lincoln Heritage Museum on the campus of Lincoln College debuted a special exhibit focusing on Mary Lincoln.

At Postville, guests were greeted by site director Denise Martinek. Tours were given of the downstairs museum and guests were also encouraged to visit the upstairs courtrooms.

The downstairs portion of the building hosts a mini-museum that addresses the role of the Postville Courthouse in the judicial system during the Lincoln Era. Abraham Lincoln was among those circuit attorneys who practiced law at the courthouse.

Martinek reminded guests that the Postville Courthouse is not the genuine article but rather a reproduction. The original building was sold to the Henry Ford Museum at Greenwich Village near Detroit, Michigan. After the building was taken down and moved to Michigan, the Lincoln/Logan County community realized the historical significance of the building and tried to get it back. Mr. Ford was not interested in selling the building back to the community, so a replica was built on the site of the original courthouse.

In Mount Pulaski, the Mount Pulaski Courthouse is the original, preserved over time through the efforts of the state and the Mount Pulaski Courthouse Foundation.

On Saturday, newly hired site director Steve Martin welcomed guests to a special music presentation in the upstairs courtrooms at the courthouse.

Martin shared the first installment of a courthouse history. He said that there would be additional installments at future special events, including one coming up in March.

Music was provided by a group of musicians who regularly perform at New Salem State Park near Petersburg.

Downstairs, guests would be provided with the opportunity to sample the Mary Todd Almond Flour Cake that is known to have been one of the lady’s tools in capturing the heart of her suitor and later to be husband, Abraham Lincoln.

Back in Lincoln, the Lincoln Heritage Museum opened a special exhibit featuring Mary Todd. “Clouds and Darkness Surround Us: The Ill-Fated Life of Mary Lincoln,” draws attention to the emotional struggles of the first lady. The loss of children and finally the assassination of her husband in her presence caused the woman to become somewhat unstrung. Though, many agree that Mary Todd was not depicted favorably or even accurately when it came to the topic of her mental health.

Guests at the museum had the opportunity to see personal belongings of the first lady as well as read a letter written after her husband’s death.

Guests also had the opportunity to view other displays on the ground floor of the museum during the “free admission” event.

[Nila Smith]