From celebration to mourning
Old State Capitol remembers end of Civil War, death of Abraham Lincoln

[April 03, 2015]  SPRINGFIELD – The Old State Capitol State Historic Site plans two special evenings to remember the historic end of the Civil War and the tragic assassination of Abraham Lincoln.

April 8 brings “On the Eve of Appomattox,” a two-part presentation about the surrender that sealed the Confederacy’s fate.

At 5:30, historic interpreters portraying Ulysses S. Grant and Robert E. Lee will discuss what each learned from the other and which maneuvers left each general puzzled as they started the final campaign. Then the generals will take guests back to Appomattox Courthouse, where Lee surrendered on April 9, 1865, followed by reflections on the war and Lee’s indictment for treason.

The free event takes place in the Old State Capitol’s Representative Hall, where Abraham Lincoln served as a legislator.

Then on April 15 – the 150th anniversary of Lincoln’s death – P.J. Staab will discuss his attempt to duplicate the hearse from Lincoln’s funeral. Staab, president of Staab Funeral Home, will describe the creativity and craftsmanship involved in the task, from researching the original hearse to finding artisans to coordinating their work at sites across the country.

This 6 o’clock event is also free and also being held in Representative Hall.

That same day, the Old State Capitol will unveil a new display of furniture from the railroad car that carried the bodies of Lincoln and his son Willie from Washington to Springfield. The furniture, usually kept safe in vaults, includes a chair and table.

The furniture will be on public display until Sept. 15.

The Old State Capitol is operated by the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency, whose mission is to preserve and interpret the state’s diverse heritage. In Springfield, the agency also operates the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, Lincoln Tomb, Lincoln-Herndon Law Offices, Dana-Thomas House, Vachel Lindsay Home and three war memorials.

[Chris Wills, Illinois Historic Preservation Agency]