Lincoln Library June 5

 After a plane trip from Denver to Chicago we boarded an Obama convention bus driven by Alex and arrive in the early evening hours of June 4 to the luxurious Hilton Hotel in downtown Springfield, IL.  Some of us took a brief walk and discovered we were planted near many historical sites; the Old Capital Building with reenactment Civil War soldiers, women spies, and others setting up camp.  Just down the street was Lincoln’s law office complete with bronze statues of Lincoln and his family. 

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On June 5, we met with Erin Bishop at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library.  She modeled for us many useful items and techniques for the classroom using primary sources.  One of my favorites was making students decide whether or not they agreed or disagreed with statement about Lincoln regarding slavery and race and then backing their choice.  After waiting nearly an hour for a tuna sandwich at a local tea shop Bryan Anderson spoke about his exhibit on the Lincoln-Douglas debate of 1858.  The issue of slavery was at the root of the debate.  The winner of the campaign was different depending on how you look at the numbers.  Lincoln was the local winner, Douglas was the regional winner, Lincoln had the popular vote, but in the end Douglas has the legislative vote.  Bryon then explained the effort that goes into setting up an exhibit.  We then went on a self-guided tour of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum.  It went from Lincoln as a young man living in a one room cabin with his parents and how he rose to become President of the United States and all of the struggles brought on by the position and how his feelings about slavery and race came about.  It all showed how determined and dedicated Lincoln was. 

 Afterwards we walked around and came upon Lincoln’s home and took a free tour!  We touched the original stair railing he would have touched going up the stairs to his newly added second story!  We also visited the Ranger’s station and saw the long procession of Lincoln’s casket through Springfield before coming to his final resting place.