Gettysburg Address Is Back (Well, Was)

From the November 19, 2021, Chicago Tribune.

A picture and caption about this important document:

"Exhibits fabricator Tom Conway and registrar Carla Smith lift a copy of the Gettysburg Address into the public display case Thursday at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield, Illinois.

"One of five known existing copies in Lincoln's own handwriting, this one s known as the Everett Copy, as Lincoln prepared it for Edward Everett, another speaker on the day that he gave the Gettysburg Address.

"It is installed each year for the anniversary of the November 19, 1863, Gettysburg Address and will remain on public display for the next two weeks.  The Everett Copy was acquired by the state of Illinois in 1944 and is kept in a vault the rest of the year to preserve it."

Something I definitely would like to see, but reckon I'll have to wait until next year to do it.

Oh, Well.  --Old Secesh

Lincoln Relics Could Go At Auction-- Part 3: State-Owned Copy of Gettysburg Address Written By Lincoln

One item that absolutely won't be sold is the rare copy of  the Gettysburg Address, written in Lincoln's own hand.  This long-held showcase document wasn't part of the Taper collection.

Illinois has a collection of tens of thousands of  artifacts that draws researchers from around the world to research.

However, the Foundation does have some time to raise the money.  The loan doesn't come up for renewal until October 2019.  The lender, who was not disclosed has been helpful in terms in the past.

Of course, Illinois is saddled with a long-running dispute between Governor Bruce Rauner and Speaker of the House Michael Madigan which has hurt state finances.  Luckily, in the past, these two have negotiated on issues surrounding the Lincoln complex

If worse comes to worse, I'd say sell the non-Lincoln items.

Here's Hoping Something Good Comes of This.  --Old Secesh

Lincoln Relics Could Go On Auction Block-- Part 2: Dloves Worn By Him at Ford's Theatre

These financial issues stem from a $23 million loan taken out to bankroll the 2007 purchase of a trove of Lincoln and non-Lincoln artifacts.  The Foundation bought a collection of over 1000 items from Louise Taper of Beverly Hills, California.  Her estate also donated items as well.

The Taper collection included a beaver fur stovepipe hat that library officials believe was worn by Lincoln.  There is also a Lincoln billfold and eyeglasses.  A major thing in the collection is the pair of  gloves he was wearing when assassinated with some of his blood on them.

There are also non-Lincoln items like a dress worn by Marilyn Monroe.

The popular Abraham Lincoln Museum has drawn more than 4 million visitors to Springfield since it opened in 2005.  If you have never been to it, plan for a trip soon.

--Old Secoln

Lincoln Relics Could Go On Auction Block-- Part 1

From the May 11, 2018, Chicago Tribune by Ray Long.

"The Land of Lincoln is in such financial disarray, it is looking at selling some of the Lincoln.

"The foundation that supports the Abraham Lincoln Library and Museum indicated Thursday that prestigious memorabilia tied to the home-state 16th president could be sold to help pay back a loan taken out to buy a trove of items more than a decade ago."

One of the items that might be sold is a stovepipe hat believed to have been worn by Lincoln.

There is a remaining debt of $9.7 million on the loan.

Will the state help?  A spokesman for Governor Bruce Rauner called the museum a "jewel for the state."

The state runs the Lincoln library and museum.  The foundation is separately run and raises private funds to support the complex.

--Old Lincoln

Lincoln Tomb Facing Budget Cuts-- Part 2

The popular tourist spot was attacked in last month's National Geographic in an article saying the Lincoln Tomb has "all the historical character of an office lobby."  The tomb is staffed with fewer employees since lawmakers last year cut $1.1 million for sites in the Springfield area.

And that is stacked up against what will probably be a banner year for tourism in the area due to its Civil War and Lincoln connection.

Pam VanAlstine, president of the Lincoln Memorial Association said she and her organization are very concerned about what the budget cuts will bring.  She said the National Geographic portrayal was unfair.  "The author of the piece is certainly entitled to feel underwhelmed by the tomb's interior but I think it's safe to say he is in the minority.

Furthermore, the tomb and its interior have had more than $2.5 million in repairs and renovations in recent years.

I mean, what should a tomb's interior have.anyway?  If someone want entertainment about Abraham Lincoln, all they need to do is go to the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum.

There Are Other Alternatives for Entertainment, If That's What You Want.  --Old Secesh

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Three Millionth Visitor for Abraham Lincoln Museum

From the August 21, 2012, Peoria (Il) Journal Star.

Becky Hughes and her children were on their way back to St. Joseph, Missouri, when she decided to enrich her children's lives with a trip to the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield, Museum.  They became the 3,000,000th visitor to the popular place.

It opened April 19, 2005 and admitted its millionth visitor June 6, 2007, two millionth on July 4, 2009.

We were able to visit it that first year and have been back a couple times since.  The museum part is the most popular, buy you should also visit the library, located across the street.  There is always an ongoing exhibit there.

Make sure you say hello to our buddy J.J. who is a guard there.

WWALT?.  --Old Secesh   (What Would Abraham Lincoln Think?)

Abe No Longer #1

From the March 15th Chicago Tribune.

As four living Republican candidates try to out-dirty each other, two former Republican presidents are battling for ticket sales. For the first time since the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum opened in Springfield, Illinois, in 2005, it no longer draws the most visitors among presidential libraries and museums.

Ronald Reagan's museum in Simi Valley, California, has surpassed it. In 2011, that place had 367,506 compared to 293,335 for Lincoln.

Oh well, being in First Always means there Is Someone Waiting to Take You Down. --RoadDog

OK, They Bobbled It

From the March 15th Chicago Tribune "A bobblehead for Lincoln's assassin???" by Ashley Rueff.

The Abraham Lincoln presidential Library and Museum in Springfield, Illinois pulled the John Wilkes Booth bobblehead off their shelves this past week. Some folks think the man who killed President Lincoln should not be so-honored. Gettysburg National Military Park in Pennsylvania has done the same thing.

The 7-inch tall figurine of Booth has a gun in his hand and came in a box that resembles the inside of Ford's Theater where the assassination took place.

"They were not appropriate for sale. It seems to be in bad taste. It makes light of the assassination of President Lincoln," said museum spokesman Dave Blanchette. However, they had not received any complaints about it.

They had just been for sale since early March and were not big-sellers.

The Abraham Lincoln bobbleheads, however, are still for sale. I have to winder if having a bobblehead for him also might be considered to be in bad taste, but I bet Abraham Lincoln would have gotten a kick out of them.

Could be a Collector's Item. --Old Secesh