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Abraham
Lincoln Presidential Museum announces first anniversary celebration
lineup
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[APRIL 18, 2006]
SPRINGFIELD -- The Abraham Lincoln Presidential
Museum will celebrate its one-year anniversary on Wednesday with
various activities throughout the day. On April 19, 2005, Gov. Rod
R. Blagojevich opened the museum with President George W. Bush and a
host of dignitaries. The dedication in Union Square Park, across
from the museum, concluded two decades of planning and hard work,
bringing the public and private life of Abraham Lincoln to the
forefront.
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In its first year, the
Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum has attracted over 600,000
visitors, doubling first-year attendance predictions. Visitors have
come from every state in the nation and every country in the world.
Schoolchildren make up a significant portion of the visitors.
April 19 schedule
- 10 a.m. -- Tom Schwartz, acting director of the Abraham
Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, heralds successful
first year
Schwartz will highlight the accomplishments of the
museum's first year and accept a donation from J. Barry
Mitchell, president of ComEd. Schwartz will also announce the
members of the governor's Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial
Commission, which will lead preparations for Lincoln's 200th
birthday.
Where: Museum plaza
- 10:30 a.m. -- "A Year in Mrs. Lincoln's Attic: A Look Back"
Until April 23, a retrospective display will showcase artwork
and the various special events that have taken place at the
museum over the past year.
Where: Across from the entrance to Mrs. Lincoln's Attic
- 11 a.m. -- Inaugural meeting of bicentennial commission
The newly announced Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission will
have its inaugural meeting to begin official state planning for
the 2009 celebration of Lincoln's 200th birthday.
Where: Library's Lincoln Reception Room
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- 11 a.m. -- Birthday cake
In honor of the first anniversary
of the museum's dedication, the library foundation will serve
birthday cake.
Where: Library atrium
- 7 p.m. -- "Milestones" panel discussion
Three experts --
Myron Marty, professor emeritus of history at Drake University;
Joe Garrera, president of the Lincoln Group of New York; and
Phil Rogers, NBC Chicago reporter -- will take a look back at
the museum's first year of operation. Rogers will screen
portions of his Chicago Emmy Award-winning documentary on the
museum. Admission is free, but reservations are recommended;
call (217) 558-8881.
Where: Library multipurpose room
- Throughout the day -- A number of events will be ongoing
through the day of the anniversary celebration. Lincoln
impersonator Randy Duncan will portray President Lincoln and
interact with guests while members of the 10th Illinois Cavalry
Band play Civil War music. Performer Randy Erwin will sing songs
from the Civil War era. Lee Slider will portray Professor
Phineas Fairhead, a fictitious 19th-century traveling practical
phrenologist, as he measures and examines the heads of members
of the audience, demonstrating a popular 19th-century fad to
determine a person's character.
[Abraham Lincoln Presidential
Library and Museum news release]
From the LDN archives
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