The Lincolns’ Marriage
Daniel Mark Epstein, author of The Lincolns: Portrait of a Marriage, discusses his 2008 book in the Union Theater at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum. The program begins at 7 p.m. Free admission. Call 558-8934 to make reservations.
Wednesday, Feb. 11
Lincoln in Illinois
Chicago artist Ron Schramm showcases his series of black and white photographs at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library. Photographs feature Illinois Abraham Lincoln statues. Exhibited through Sept. 30. Free admission.
Lincoln’s Living History Programs
Tour the Lincoln Home State Historic Site during Lincoln’s birthday weekend. Period-costumed staff share the story of Lincoln’s 17 years in Springfield inside the home and in various outdoor site locations. Visit from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 11- Feb. 15, and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Feb. 12. Free admission.
Springfield’s Farewell to Lincoln
Twenty local actors and local military re-enact moments leading up to Abraham Lincoln’s Feb. 11, 1861 farewell address to Springfield. Nearly 2,800 Sangamon County fifth graders, who studied this historical event, will attend. The program begins at 10:30 a.m. at the Prairie Capital Convention Center. Free to the public.
One Destiny
Harry Hawk, the actor who was performing onstage at Ford’s Theatre when Abraham Lincoln was shot, and Harry Ford, the theatre’s manager, revisit the night of April 15, 1865 in the original drama One Destiny. The production, premiered at Ford’s Theatre, Washington, D.C, in 2007, comes to the Union Theater at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum at 3 p.m. Feb. 11; 2:15 and 2:45 p.m. Feb. 12; and 3 p.m. Feb. 13. Museum admission required.
Now He Belongs to the Ages
Three original Abraham Lincoln documents — the Gettysburg Address, the Emancipation Proclamation, and the 13th Amendment that abolished slavery — come to the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum for an overnight vigil. Abraham Lincoln, portrayed by Michael Krebs, reads from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. in the Museum’s Union Theater. The viewing, from 5 p.m. Feb. 11 through 8 a.m. Feb. 12, is free to the public.
Let Freedom Sing!
The Illinois Symphony Orchestra leads various capital city chorale and instrumental ensembles in a Bicentennial eve musical celebration at the Prairie Capital Convention Center. Bill Kurtis, award-winning television journalist; Jerry Lambert, News Channel 20 anchor; and Fritz Klein, Lincoln re-enactor, make guest appearances. Entertainment begins at 6:30 p.m. Free admission.
Thursday, Feb. 12
Writing Lincoln for Children
Bob Burleigh, author of Abraham Lincoln Comes Home, and Catherine Clinton, author of The Civil War: An Illustrated History and Mrs. Lincoln, join more writers of historical children’s literature for an adult roundtable discussion at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library. The program runs from 8:15 to 9:15 a.m. Free admission.
The Election of 1860
Dr. John Squibb, history and science professor, presents “President Abraham Lincoln and the Election of 1860” as the First Annual Lincoln Land Community College Lincoln Lecture. The program begins at 9 a.m. in the Trutter Center at Lincoln Land Community College. Continental breakfast provided. Free admission.
The Age of Lincoln
Six Lincoln authors, including Michael Burlingame and Vernon Burton, discuss “The Age of Lincoln” in the Hall of Representatives at the Old State Capitol as part of the 2009 Abraham Lincoln Symposium. The program runs from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Free admission.
Children’s Story Telling with Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln, portrayed by Fritz Klein, invites children to attend storytelling programs at Grace Lutheran Church, 714 E. Capitol Ave. Lincoln reads Aesop’s Fables and shares stories from his childhood. African American Underground Railroad hero Harriet Tubman and African American Civil War soldier Andrew Lewis join Lincoln in the morning session, from 10 to 11 a.m. The second session runs from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Lincoln children’s book authors will sign books before each program. Free admission.
Wreath Laying at the Tomb
The American Legion honors the Bicentennial with a special 75th Diamond Anniversary National American Legion Pilgrimage to the Lincoln Tomb State Historic Site. Dignitaries walk from downtown Springfield to place wreaths at Oak Ridge Cemetery tomb. The ceremony begins at 10:30 a.m. Free to the public.
Bicentennial Luncheon
Michael Burlingame, author of the new multivolume book Abraham Lincoln: A Life and recipient of the Bicentennial edition of The Order of Lincoln, speaks at Lincoln’s birthday luncheon at the President Abraham Lincoln Hotel, 701 E. Adams. The luncheon begins at 11:30 a.m. Tickets are $30 and available at 558-8934.
Lincoln Day Luncheon
Former Republican Presidential Candidate and Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee visits Springfield at the 105th annual Lincoln Day
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