We'll be spending most of the day with Mr. Lincoln today learning about his family, his presidency, and his legacy.
First stop is about a mile from our campsite at the Lincoln Heritage Museum on the campus of Lincoln College.
Here's a beautiful wood carving.
There were two floors and the 1st floor had a timeline on the wall and hexagonal display cabinets with various aspects of his life and career.
The Kansas-Nebraska Act, designed by Stephen Douglas, spurred Lincoln back into politics. The Republican Party was created because of it.
It allowed whoever lived in Kansas or Nebraska to vote for/against slavery and a bloody civil war within Kansas was the result.
The Lincoln-Douglas debates were very famous, but WHERE were they? (Click on the picture to read the text)
The Civil War Begins
We were told as we entered that a group of 50 people were expected in 30 minutes so we wouldn't be able to go upstairs until 1pm. At the time we didn't understand what the upstairs exhibit was like.
After finishing the 1st floor we headed for an early lunch at Wendy's and then drove around town in the drizzle taking photographs of the town's wall murals.
Great looking train depot in town.
Back at the museum we took the required elevator trip to the second floor and started our timed 75 minute Lincoln adventure by sitting in a room overlooking Mr. and Mrs. Lincoln's shoulders while they watched My American Cousin in Ford's Theater.
After Lincoln is shot by John Wilkes Booth a voice over explains that we think as we get close to death we revisit it our life. A door opens and we moved into a black draped room where lights illuminate parts of Lincoln's earliest memories with his parents and on his farm.
All of the rooms were dimly lit so it was difficult to read what little printed matter there was. Every room had voice-overs by actors portraying people during that time. There would be items on 3 sides of each black-draped area and the light would shine on what was being spoken about.
As the room darkens another light leads us into the next room. This is how we are introduced to the people and places that influenced Lincoln throughout his life.
His time in Lincoln, IL as a lawyer.
With his wife, Mary and children.
Through his famous "house divided" speech.
His Presidency, the Civil War, and back to his death.
As we exited the exhibit there were panels helping to explain Lincoln's Legacy, Empathy, Honesty, Leadership, Vision, Perseverance, and Intellect.
No comments:
Post a Comment