Happy birthday,
Mr. President
Presidential library, Old State Capitol to celebrate Lincoln’s
birthday with free admission, special events
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[February 10, 2017]
SPRINGFIELD
– The presidential library dedicated to Abraham Lincoln will
celebrate his birthday by offering free admission, presenting a
special concert and, along with the Old State Capitol, hosting some
of the nation’s top Lincoln scholars.
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The birthday events also include solemn ceremonies
at Lincoln’s tomb and a joyful dance at the Old State Capitol.
Everyone can visit the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and
Museum at no charge on Sunday, Feb. 12, which would have been
Lincoln’s 208th birthday. Admission usually costs $15 for adults and
$6 for children.
Lincoln’s stovepipe hat and a 28-diamond necklace he gave to Mary
will also be on display that day and for the rest of February.
The Liberty Clarinet Quartet, part of the U.S. Air Force Band of
Mid-America, will perform from 1 to 2 p.m., and actors portraying
characters from history (such as Mary Lincoln and a Civil War
soldier) will greet museum visitors and answer questions that day
and the next, Monday, Feb. 13.
The Abraham Lincoln Association will hold its annual symposium that
weekend, partly at the presidential library and partly at the Old
State Capitol State Historic Site. The symposium includes:
A free keynote address at the Old State Capitol at 6 p.m.,
Saturday, Feb. 11. The address will be delivered by Daniel Crofts,
author of “Lincoln and the Politics of Slavery,” about Lincoln’s
surprising support for a constitutional amendment that would have
protected slavery.
A luncheon at the presidential library at noon, Sunday, Feb.
12. The guest speaker will be Noah Andre Trudeau, author of
“Lincoln’s Greatest Journey,” an account of the president’s 16-day
visit to the front just before his death. Tickets are $30.
A free presentation at the presidential library at 2 p.m. on
“Bringing Lincoln’s White House to Life.” It features two authors
with books (one of them a murder mystery) introducing readers to
daily life at the executive mansion.
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The Veterans of Foreign Wars will make their annual pilgrimage to the Lincoln
Tomb State Historic Site on Saturday, Feb. 11, at 2:30 p.m. Winners of Voice
of Democracy scholarships will be present along with the VFW national commander
for a wreath ceremony and brief remarks.
The next day, at 10:30 a.m., American Legion Post No. 32 will make its 83rd
annual pilgrimage to the tomb. Legion members will lay a wreath at Lincoln’s
burial site.
Both wreath-laying ceremonies are open to the public.
The Old State Capitol welcomes the Springfield International Folk Dancers
on Sunday, Feb. 12, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. They will present the music and dance
of Lincoln's era, complete with chances for visitors to join the performance if
they want.
[Shanta Thoele
Executive Secretary
Illinois Historic Preservation Agency
Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library]
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