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 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.
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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] |
