President Abraham Lincoln is an American treasure and holds a special place for the state of Illinois. A new exhibit, “Lincoln’s Undying Words,” looks at the iconic president’s evolving views on slavery through artifacts, speeches, and interactive experiences.
The Chicago History Museum in collaboration with the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield, Ill. is using Lincoln’s “A House Divided” speech from 1858, his first inaugural address from 1861, the Gettysburg Address from 1863, his second inaugural address from 1865, and the speech on Reconstruction that was given three days before his assassination as key parts of the narrative for the exhibit. As you walk through the exhibit with the audio experience you’ll hear actor Michael Krebs reading excerpts from the speeches.
One artifact that will catch your eye is the Lincoln family’s carriage, which is on display at the museum for the first time in 30 years. Another powerful artifact is Lincoln’s deathbed, which has been with the museum since 1920. Other artifacts include a first edition of “12 Years a Slave” by Solomon Northup, “The Railsplitter” portrait of Lincoln that helped him win an election, and Lincoln’s last order to General Ulysses S. Grant.
Supporting the program will be group tours and a Civil War Bus tour taking place Saturday, May 7 that will take guests to where Lincoln won the nomination for president, a training center for Northern troops, the building where Lincoln practiced law, and other locations important to the president’s history and the Civil War.
“Lincoln’s Undying Words” runs until Feb. 20, 2017 at the Chicago History Museum located at 1601 N. Clark St. For more information visit lincolnsundyingwords.com.
Written By Joel Mora
Joel Mora is editor at Concierge Preferred. Born and raised in Miami, Fl., Joel has slowly ate, drank, and explored his way up north refining all his senses to prepare for the stampede of delicious dining, notorious nightlife, stellar shopping, and captivating culture that calls Chicago home. In the wild he’ll be the red-bearded Cuban with a Lagunitas IPA in his hand.
