Six score and nineteen years ago

One hundred and thirty nine years ago today Abraham Lincoln delivered one of the most important speeches of his life – one which Lincoln scholar Harold Holzer and others believe propelled Lincoln from the prairies of Illinois onto the path to the White House.

For an overview and the speech itself, see the Abraham Lincoln Online website. But, if you really want to know all about it, you’ll want to read Holzer’s book, Lincoln at Cooper Union: The Speech That Made Abraham Lincoln President.

With more than 30 volumes about Lincoln under his belt, Holzer knows his stuff. When the book came out, it put this speech into the spotlight it's so long deserved. Holzer’s work will continue to shed light on this turning point in Lincoln’s life for years to come.

Visit these Lincoln blogs and websites

Lincoln Buff 2 is on a bit of a hiatus from blogging this week, as I’m spending precious time with my family while my youngest daughter is here visiting. There is always something new in the Lincoln world, though, and there are others who love sharing Lincoln news. Here are a few of my favorites.

Lincoln bloggers
Here are some other Lincoln bloggers I enjoy reading:

• A. Lincoln Blog: Brian Dirck, professor and Lincoln author, Fishers (Ind.)
• The Abraham Lincoln Blog: Geoff Elliott, Lincoln enthusiast, North Canton (Ohio)
• The Abraham Lincoln Observer: Mike Kienzler, metro editor, The State Journal Register, Springfield (Ill.)
• Lincoln Seminar: Galesburg High School Lincoln Seminar class, Galesburg (Ill.)

Lincoln websites
I’ve learned so much and met so many people who are committed to keeping the legacy of Lincoln alive, often working diligently day in and day out for nothing but the satisfaction of doing so. The following websites provide a wealth of information about the 16th President:

• Abraham Lincoln Online: Rhoda and Lowell Sneller (This site also provides a fantastic calendar of Lincoln events nationwide.)
• Abraham Lincoln Research Site: Roger Norton (Written by a former school teacher devoted to students of Lincoln everywhere)

Please continue to visit Lincoln Buff 2, though. I'm always scouting for new things to share about Lincoln, and these days there's an avalanche of stories to be told. I'll keep telling them whenever I can.

My bags are packed. I’m ready to go.

Okay, so that’s not true. I haven’t even started to get ready. Folks, I’m going to slow down on the blogging soon to get organized for the big celebration.

Off to Lincoln’s stomping grounds
I’ll be celebrating Lincoln’s birthday in Springfield next week. I’ve taken vacation from work and my family has been gracious in giving me the week off at home. As for the family, I’m not sure if it’s because they a.) know I’d be miserable to live with if I couldn’t go, b.) want me out of their hair or c.) love me and want to see me happy. I think it’s a little of all three.

I have some great opportunities ahead of me – to continue learning about Lincoln, meet people whose work I admire, do some volunteer work for the Bicentennial and join in the celebration.

If you’re in Springfield, how will you know it’s me?"

• First, look for the person with the biggest smile, because I will be happy!
• Second, if you’re at a scholarly event, look for the person taking the most copious notes. I know, it looks like overkill, but that’s how I absorb new information – something about the hand, eye and brain working together, I guess. Besides, I need fodder for future blog posts, right?
• Third, look for my name badge. My friend, Tricia, is creating a really cool name badge for me with a Lincoln penny, my name and Lincoln Buff 2 on it.

If you see me, please be sure to come up to say “hi,” unless it’s on Sunday or Thursday when you might catch sight of me volunteering. I probably shouldn’t get too chatty then. Try to catch me later. I do love hearing from my readers, and it will be really neat to meet some of you.

I’ll be a-twitterin’
As of right now, I don’t plan to blog the week of Feb. 8-14, 2009. I do, however, plan to twitter, except when I’m volunteering. I should be adding a twitter link to my blog on Saturday night, Feb. 7. I’m not quite sure yet what I’ll include, but these are some of the things I thought I might twitter about:

• Lincoln sightings
• Lincoln sites
• Lincoln buffs
• Buff Lincolns (Hey, you don't think he had six-pack abs from splitting all those logs?)
• Lincoln scholars
• Lincoln trivia
• Bicentennial events
• And more

Don’t give up on me
If you’re reading my blog on a regular basis, please keep coming back. I’ve got a couple other neat things to tell you about yet this week. Please don’t forget to watch your local newspapers and visit these websites to learn about Lincoln events across the COUNTRY and in Illinois:

• U.S. Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission
• Abraham Lincoln Online
• Illinois Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission
• Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum

And, keep an eye on C-SPAN for Lincoln events they'll be covering in the coming days.

Is it over when it’s over?
In case you’re wondering, my mission will not end with Lincoln’s 200th birthday. It will slow down for a while right after the celebration, as I regroup at home and study for an exam I’m taking for my real job. I’ll be back, though, with lots to tell you. My blog calendar is already chockfull of future story ideas and I’m sure I’ll have even more after my week in Springfield.

Are you Looking for Lincoln? If you’re not, it’s not too late to start. He’s all around you and he’s not going away any time soon.

It’s official – President Obama’s coming to the party

Updated Feb. 3, 2009

In a couple of my earlier blog posts, I shared with you that President Barack Obama “might or might not” be coming to the Abraham Lincoln Association’s annual Lincoln’s Birthday Banquet. “Might not” is no longer part of the equation. He’s coming…

All 900 tickets (at $95 each) to the event have been sold out for some time now – likely since folks got wind of who “might” be coming. Late this afternoon, however, there were still overflow seats available for a dessert reception. (Oops, it's too late now. Feb. 3, 2009)

For more information, see Bernard Schoenburg’s article in the State Journal-Register (SJ-R).

Update: According to my fellow blogger, Mike Kienzler of SJ-R's Abraham Lincoln Observer, all tickets for overflow seating were sold out as of 9:20 p.m. Monday night.

Be sure to see all the new sidebars to Schoenburg's article to learn more about the logistics, trials and jubilation of a presidential visit.

A peculiar ambition

On March 9, 1832, Lincoln said, “Every man is said to have his peculiar ambition. Whether it be true or not, I can say for one that I have no other so great as that of being truly esteemed of my fellow men, by rendering myself worthy of their esteem. How far I shall succeed in gratifying this ambition, is yet to be developed.”*

I think the magnitude of the party America is throwing for Lincoln shows he succeeded magnificently in gratifying the ambition.

Thanks to President Obama for showing the world his esteem for Lincoln, as well. Welcome to the party, Mr. President!


* Thanks to Rhoda and Lowell Sneller of Abraham Lincoln Online for creating a place where we can find authentic Lincoln quotes such as this one.

See the updated website links

When I was preparing my laundry list of Lincoln bicentennial websites and articles about events throughout the country yesterday, I remembered that I'd been meaning to update the links on the left side of my website. Although these listings could go into even greater depth, you will now find more updated listings of state bicentennial sites, research websites and places to visit.

As I've been writing this blog the last four months, the response from others in the Lincoln community has been encouraging and enlightening. What a helpful group of people - all equally passionate about the subject!

Acknowledgements
I must give a special thanks today to Roger Norton of The Abraham Lincoln Research Site, Rhoda and Lowell Sneller of the Abraham Lincoln Online website and the staff at the U.S. Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission, whose online resources always seem to get me directly to the information I'm seeking. These folks are diligent in keeping up on the latest in the world of Lincoln. I consulted these sites in compiling the links for mine, so we all owe them a big collective thank you.

Don’t be a stranger
Please come back often to visit my blog. I try to publish an article every day or two, especially with the birthday date now so close. When I have the time, I’ll try to update my sidebar links even more. I know I’ve fallen behind on keeping the books link up as much as I’d like. Be sure to watch your newspapers and online news sites for the latest new releases in the Lincoln world. There are truly dozens coming out this year.

I’m committed to sharing as much as I can about Lincoln and events in his honor over the next few months, even though it’s sometimes a gargantuan task in light of the responsibilities and commitments in my real life outside the Lincoln world. This blog is my birthday present to Lincoln and my gift to you. My hope is that it honors him and inspires you. Thanks for visiting. Ann

Lincoln at Christmas

Here’s a mixed bag – or stocking, perhaps, given it is Christmas – of Lincoln-related holiday info. Forgive me for not doing the research myself to share more in-depth information on Lincoln’s Christmas. I enjoyed the company of my family, trying to see the joy of the celebration through the eyes of my grandchildren. That, today, seemed more important.

How Lincoln spent Christmas week
The Snellers at Abraham Lincoln Online website have a nice timeline on their website answering the question “How did Lincoln spend Christmas week as President and President-elect?” The timeline covers the holiday week from 1860 through 1864.

Lincoln holiday images
On the Abraham Lincoln Collectibles website, I found some beautiful images of the Lincoln family at Christmas, created annually by the late Lloyd Ostendorf for more than 20 years. I’ve not done the digging to know for sure how realistic the scenes portrayed in each image are, but they’re quite attractive nonetheless. Many of the images are for sale as prints or postcards via the website.

Nurturing a budding scholar
My six-year-old grandson wanted a biography of Lincoln which had a picture of him with a beard. On a Christmas Eve shopping blitz, I found Abraham Lincoln from the History Maker Bios Series. It’s written by Jane A. Schott and illustrated by Tim Parlin. It looks as if it’s written so that it will hold his young attention, yet provide him with the basics of Lincoln scholarship. It’s nice to know we’re starting our own Lincoln legacy here. Kunhardts we’ll never be, but you have to start somewhere.

Starting a new old tradition
On our trip to the holiday reception at the David Davis Mansion, my granddaughter and I learned of a tradition observed in the Davis home which has roots nearly 130 years ago. David Davis was a Bloomington (Ill.) attorney who rode the Eighth Judicial Circuit with Lincoln, was the primary force in helping him win the 1860 election, served on the Supreme Court in Lincoln’s administration and served as a father figure to Robert Todd Lincoln after the President’s death.

In the gift shop and on the dining room table at the mansion, we saw Peppermint Pigs. We learned this was a Victorian holiday tradition. Those at the holiday dinner passed the Peppermint Pig, shielded in a festive red pouch, around the table. Each guest shared something good from the past year, then hit the pouch with a small hammer to break the pink candy pig into pieces. Once it had been around the table, the pouch was opened, the pig was shared, and it was to bring health and good luck in the New Year.

Both young and old at our table first shared something they were thankful for. The pig wasn’t broken as much as we desired, so we passed it again making a wish for the New Year. Those youngsters amaze me. They get it. Their thanks and their wishes were from the heart and not selfish. I’m pretty proud of and thankful for them. They’re good kids.

Even if you don’t have a Peppermint Pig this year, may you reflect on good things from 2008 and be blessed with good health and good luck in 2009. Thanks for spending time learning about Lincoln with me. Ann

© Copyright 2008 Ann Tracy Mueller. All rights reserved.

Blog topics you may have missed through Dec. 19

The last few weeks have been busy in the Lincoln world, so there's been lots to write about. If you’ve missed some posts since my last "topics you may have missed" piece on Nov. 18, 2008, here’s a hyperlinked list of what we covered. If this is helpful, please check one of the Reaction checkboxes at the end of this article.

In the past few weeks, you might have missed articles:

• Reflecting on the Gettysburg Address
• Highlighting an documentary project about Lincoln biographer Carl Sandburg
• Celebrating Fords Theatre renovations
• Honoring Helga Sandburg
• Discussing the difficulty of accurately grading a president
• Remembering Lincoln’s Thanksgiving proclamation
• Lamenting the closing of historic sites (Nov. 29 and 30 stories)
• Celebrating Chris Vallillo’s Abraham Lincoln in Song
• Promoting ongoing C-SPAN Lincoln programming
• Touting the benefits of the Heartland College Lincoln class
• Celebrating the dedication of Looking for Lincoln markers
• Describing Lincoln-related events in Bloomington and Springfield, what I learned from the Heartland College Lincoln class and my next steps in the study of Lincoln
• Commemorating Mary Todd Lincoln’s 190th birthday
• Discussing C-SPAN’s White House programming, Michael Burlingame’s new book, Fort Wayne’s Lincoln Museum collection and possible hope for Illinois historic sites
• Honoring retirements of Rhode Island Chief Justice Frank J. Williams and U.S. Representative Ray LaHood
• Talking about birthday cards for Lincoln, a gift to try to keep the Vandalia Statehouse open, renovation of a McLean County home with Lincoln connections and the C-SPAN White House series
• Looking at the horrific institution of slavery
• Pointing gift givers to Lincoln books for young and old
• Celebrating our incoming Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood

For earlier articles
For articles between the birth of this blog on Oct. 9, 2008 and Nov. 18, see the Nov. 19 article.

The opportunity of a century
Remember, this time of bicentennial celebration will never be equaled by any in our lifetimes for opportunities to celebrate and learn about Lincoln. You can find a couple of great calendars of bicentennial happenings across the country at these websites:

• Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission
• Abraham Lincoln Online

News in the Lincoln world

Last week and this coming week there's a lot of activity in the Lincoln world and in the Land of Lincoln. Since the Lincoln Buff was away from the computer for a couple days, I’ll give you a high level overview of the things you may have missed – and direct you to other news sites for more information.

Don’t miss the C-SPAN White House features
From Dec. 14-20, C-SPAN is featuring an in-depth look at where Lincoln and other American Presidents lived and worked. The Lincoln Buff family just finished watching the first episode. We learned tons and can’t wait to see the rest. Tonight’s program not only featured clips from President and Mrs. Bush, but also footage from a number of former Presidential families. Several of our well-known Lincoln and presidential historians, including Doris Kearns Goodwin, Harold Holzer and Richard Norton Smith provided commentary, as well as people who have day-to-day connections with the White House operations. Please join us in watching the rest of the programming at 9 Eastern, 8 Central each night this week.


Michael Burlingame talks about his new book
I wasn’t near a television during the day today, so I missed the Book TV interview with Michael Burlingame concerning his new two-volume Lincoln biography, which is heralded by most as the next most valuable Lincoln work. Abraham Lincoln: A Life is published by The John Hopkins University Press. I may not get a chance to read it right away myself, but I’ll try to point you to more information on the book as it becomes available. Be sure to see Abraham Lincoln Online website, too, for their interview with Burlingame.

Indiana collection has a home – but not at ALPLM
In case you haven't heard it by now, the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum won't be getting the vast collection of Lincoln memorabilia from the recently closed Lincoln Museum in Fort Wayne, Indiana - sad for us in Illinois. Instead, the $20 million collection will go to the State of Indiana and be housed in the Indiana State Museum in Indianapolis and the Allen County Public Library in Fort Wayne. It will be interesting to hear what Lincoln scholars and collectors have to say about this. Lincoln buff will try to follow this story and share what I read. In the meantime, you can read more in the IndyStar.com article.

Hope for Illinois historic sites?
I doubt that anyone reading this blog is immune to the news from Illinois about the arrest of Governor Rod Blagojevich. If this current governor steps down or is impeached, next in line for the office is Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn. The good news is that Quinn’s already giving us hope about reopening the recently closed historic sites if he moves into the office. Hurray, Lt. Gov. Quinn! Although we’re watching this whole drama play out on many levels, we Lincoln buffs are especially interested in watching what happens to the sites which have connections to Lincoln. We’re glad to hear you’ll do the right thing.

Happy Thanksgiving – 145 years after Lincoln’s proclamation

I recently learned that it was 145 years ago (1863) when Abraham Lincoln issued the proclamation making Thanksgiving a national holiday.

It's time to spend time with those who are blessings in my life. Therefore, I’m going to make this blog short and direct you to an article about the proclamation on the website, Abraham Lincoln Online (ALO). It’s a nice piece, which includes the proclamation itself. I’m just beginning to discover all the wonderful things that ALO has to offer.

The website is a labor of love by Lowell and Rhoda Sneller, who in October were announced among those who will be awarded the special Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial edition of The Order of Lincoln, the highest honor awarded by the State of Illinois. Those chosen will be honored for the lasting and significant ways they have preserved the memory of Abraham Lincoln, and have contributed to Lincoln’s defining influence on the American spirit.

So, to the Snellers, thanks for your vast, ongoing efforts to share the legacy of Lincoln.

And, to the readers of my blog – both near and far – thank you for reading. May you continue to grow in your knowledge of Lincoln. I hope my blog helps with that growth – for all of us. Have a happy and blessed Thanksgiving. Ann

Blog topics you may have missed through Nov. 18

If you’re like most people, your life is busy. You may have every intention of making regular visits to the websites or blogs you enjoy, but you may not make it as often as you’d like. In the process, you miss some of the blog posts you may have enjoyed.

I’ve been blogging for several weeks now and have posted more than 20 articles. I thought it might be helpful if every few weeks I do a “topics you may have missed” piece. This covers articles from the birth of the blog through Nov. 18, 2008.

If you think this is helpful, please check one of the Reaction checkboxes at the end of this article.

In the meantime, you might have missed articles:

• Celebrating First Lady Laura Bush’s visit to Hodgenville, Kentucky
• Guiding you to Lincoln or Illinois-related books by John Hallwas, Brian Dirck and Edward Steers, Jr., Harold Holzer, Gary Ecelbarger, Joshua Wolf Shenk and others
• Describing Lincoln-related events in Springfield, Galesburg and Bloomington
• Discussing the challenges and tools of and offering tips for Lincoln research
• Highlighting schools and universities where students are immersed in Lincoln studies
• Congratulating those who’ve reached milestones in their scholarly journeys or received honors for their Lincoln-related work
• Celebrating Ford’s Theatre honors and a Lincoln painting donated to a Petersburg, Ill. museum
• Encouraging people to celebrate the bicentennial by learning about Lincoln in a variety of ways
• Discussing the Lincoln Forum symposium and noting the discovery of a possible Lincoln letter
• Alerting readers to Matthew Pinsker’s cautions about a team of rivals
• Informing about Lincoln site renovations in Springfield

Remember, this time of bicentennial celebration will never be equaled by any in our lifetimes for opportunities to celebrate and learn about Lincoln. You can find a couple of great calendars of bicentennial happenings across the country at these websites:

• Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission
• Abraham Lincoln Online

© Copyright 2008 Ann Tracy Mueller. All rights reserved.

I’ll be back…

Thanks to all the visitors who’ve stopped at my blog over the past month. I’ve enjoyed doing it. I hope you’ve learned a thing or two and found value or enjoyment here. I’ve got some other obligations coming up at home so I won’t be blogging for the next couple weeks. That doesn’t mean the rest of you should pull away from the Lincoln world, though. And, don’t worry, I will be back!

Don’t let the bicentennial pass you by
Make the most of your time as a Lincoln buff. There are plenty of new Lincoln books you can get lost in. Lincoln scholars will be doing book signings. Communities will offer Lincoln-related events. You can learn where Lincoln things are happening by visiting Abraham Lincoln Online or the Lincoln Bicentennial website. Remember the celebration of Lincoln’s 200th birthday only comes once – and we’ve got the opportunity to savor it!

Lincoln at Gettysburg – and maybe you, too
If you’re really lucky, you’re already a Lincoln scholar and you’ll be at the 13th Annual Lincoln Forum Symposium in Gettysburg from Nov. 16-18, 2008 and the Town of Gettysburg Remembrance Day Activities on Nov. 19. If, like me, you can’t make it to Gettysburg, you can watch the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission Dedication Day Ceremony on C-SPAN on Nov. 19 (the 145th anniversary of the Gettysburg Address). Check the C-SPAN website or your local program schedule for the time, still to be announced.

Tell me how you’re learning about Lincoln
If you enjoy my blog, I’d love to hear from you. And, if you go to Gettysburg for the Forum, I’d love to hear about it. Please use the comments function. If you don’t see yours posted right away, be patient. When I can get time to review them, I’ll post them for the rest of my readers to see. I really do appreciate your feedback.

Thanks for visiting. Talk to you again soon. Ann

© Copyright 2008 Ann Tracy Mueller. All rights reserved.