A virtual tour of Ford’s Theatre Center for Education and Leadership

Don’t you love the places technology can take us today – the way social media and video can show us sites we may never get to see otherwise, teach us things we may never otherwise know?

In 2005, when the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum opened its doors in Springfield, Ill., it hosted a conference with more than 20 leading Lincoln scholars. 

One of the presentations that touched me the most that day was a three-generation panel of scholars, which included a young scholar named Matthew Pinsker, prolific Lincoln author Harold Holzer (representing the in-between demographic ), and a gentleman who was then a patriarch of Lincoln scholars, David Herbert Donald, Pinsker’s mentor. I was glad I met the elder scholar that day, and received his autograph in my copy of his book, “Lincoln.” Donald passed away four years later, a few months after the bicentennial of Lincoln’s birth. 

One of the greatest changes we’ve seen in the way we can educate and inspire about the 16^th president is through the use of technology – and Donald’s student is doing it well.  

Pinsker holds the Brian Pohanka Chair of Civil War History at Dickinson College. He is the author of two books about Lincoln, one of which is “Lincoln’s Sanctuary: Abraham Lincoln and the Soldiers’ Home.” He is also co-director of the House Divided project, which provides 21^st century tools to teach 19^th century topics in grades K-12. 

Check out one of the latest – an inside look at Ford’s Theatre Center for Education and Leadership. Pinsker shared this post on LinkedIn today:

This is what a "virtual" field trip looks like... Check out short video tour of new Ford's Theatre Center for Education & Leadership, by @DickinsonCol prof Matthew Pinsker, via @Gilder_Lehrman http://t.co/reSic0tl3i

See the 10-minute video here: 

Teacher's Tour of the Ford's Theatre Center for Education and Leadership from The Gilder Lehrman Institute on Vimeo.

Lincoln Buff 2 goes to Washington

Wow! I finally did it. My first trip to Washington, D.C. in 40 years. The last time was a whirlwind trip through the city in with my parents and younger sister with a stop at Arlington National Cemetery.

The Amazing Abe Adventure
I'm calling this trip The Amazing Abe Adventure. We arrived this morning, heading straight to 10th Street for our Ford's Theatre visit. We were fortunate to find valet parking in the garage next to the theatre. It was lunchtime, so our valet suggested Lincoln's Waffle Shop across the streeet. You'll hear more about it and the parking garage in a future blog post.

Today was another first for me - my first YouTube video. I actually shot two, but the first one just wasn't good enough to publish. I have a ways to go before I'll be offered a job by any film producers. My first video, of the exterior of Ford's Theatre was just too rough - lame dialogue, poor camera work and people walking in front of me as I shot. The second, however, was a little better, so you'll have to check out "Lincoln Buff 2 visits the Peterson House."

We had a special look at the theatre, spent time absorbing the magnificent displays in the new Ford's Theatre Museum and visited the Peterson House. It's been a long day and I don't want to short any of them, so watch for more on this adventure another day.

We also made a quick trip to the National Archives. We didn't plan nearly enough time for this depository of our nation's treasured documents. Watch for more on this, too, in the future. I've got pictures of today's adventures, but can more easily load them from my home computer. I'll be sure to include them in future blog posts.

For now, this tired Lincoln buff is going to cut the blog short to do some tweeting and catch up on email. Tomorrow The Amazing Abe Adventure takes us to Arlington Cemetery for Veterans Day ceremonies and to the National Mall. I'll get to see the Lincoln Memorial up close and personal. Can't wait.

To all the kind people I met today - at the waffle house, the Fords and the National Archives - thanks for your warm welcome. I'll be writing more about you later, so please come back.

Seven score and four

One hundred forty-four years ago this morning, Lincoln breathed his last breath. I'd be remiss if I didn't take this time to remind you to visit Ford's Theatre when you're in Washington, D.C. It just reopened recently after extensive renovations.

Lincoln Buff 2 and friends are going to experience the Ford's for the first time this November as we take our own Lincoln trip in honor of the bicentennial. Though I'm sure it will be a very emotional time being right there where he was shot, I'm looking forward to this, yet another memorable Lincoln experience.

Take time today to stop to remember Lincoln and his life and legacy. I know I will.

© Copyright 2009 Ann Tracy Mueller. All rights reserved.

Lincoln laundry list

News in the Lincoln world is coming in fast and furious these days. Even though I receive a number of very specific Lincoln-related email alerts daily, it’s a challenge to keep up with all the Lincoln events planned throughout the country. It will surely be even more challenging the nearer Lincoln’s birthday gets.

Because of this, with little more than a month to the big day, I’m sharing a laundry list with you. On first glance, it’s surely overwhelming, but as you hone in on the locations closest to you, it won’t be so much so. In nearly every state and many communities, you'll find ways to celebrate this momentous day. If you're like me, you'll wish you could clone yourself on Feb. 12 to attend dozens of celebrations far and near.

Learn more
Many states have their own bicentennial commissions. If so, and if they have a website, I’ve provided a link to it. If there is no commission in your state, but the little birdies have shared information about events there, I’ve linked to an online article with information about the happenings.

A couple of great sources to learn about Lincoln events near you are the U.S. Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission website calendar and the Abraham Lincoln Online calendar. Both are exceptional and will likely have timely information, while mine is only as up-to-date as today’s media. Currently, all my links should take you to live websites or articles. As time goes on, however, some pages may be deactivated, so links may no longer work. In that case, I’ll try to remove them when I catch them.

Make the most of this opportunity
It’s exciting to be living at this moment in time, so please be sure to take advantage of Lincoln events near you and to read some of the many new Lincoln books or great old ones. Use this once-in-a-century opportunity to study our 16th president – and be sure to share what you learn with others. Spread the enthusiasm and knowledge!

Check out these Lincoln happenings

California
Sonoma Valley Regional Library seminars

Colorado
Lincoln’s Colorado legacy
Estes Park: Visit with the Lincolns

Connecticut
Connecticut Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission

Delaware
Delaware Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission
Delaware Lincoln events

Idaho
Idaho Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission
Student penny drive helps renovate Lincoln statue

Illinois
Illinois Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission
Looking for Lincoln Heritage Coalition
Galesburg Public Library: Commemorative children’s book
Illinois events statewide
Lincoln Log Cabin events
Lincoln, Ill.: Mary Todd Lincoln fashion show
Springfield: Lincoln play

Indiana
Indiana Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission

Kansas
Kansas Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial

Kentucky
Kentucky Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission
Kentucky Lincoln events

Louisiana
Louisiana Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission

Massachusetts
Massachusetts Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission

Michigan
Michigan Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission

New Jersey
Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission of New Jersey

North Dakota
North Dakota Lincoln events

Ohio
Ohio Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission

Oklahoma
Oklahoma events

Oregon
Oregon Lincoln Bicentennial Commission
Oregon essay contest

Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission

Rhode Island
Rhode Island Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission

South Dakota
Dakota Conference

Vermont
Vermont celebrations

Washington, D.C.
U.S. Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission
Ford’s Theatre
Loew’s Hotel: Lincoln Bedroom experience package
National Archives celebrations
Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History “New Birth of Freedom exhibit”

Wyoming
Wyoming Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission

Keep looking for Lincoln
Wherever you are, don't stop Looking for Lincoln. You'll be amazed how often he turns up when you least expect it!

Ford's theatre spruces up, too

Last week I told you about some of the Springfield Lincoln sites getting all prettied up for Lincoln's birthday. They're not the only ones. The Ford's Theatre in Washington, D.C. where Lincoln spent his final evening and was fatally shot by John Wilkes Booth is also undergoing renovation - big time.

The theatre will reopen with a number of special events, just in time for Lincoln's bicentennial birthday on Feb. 12, 2009. Read all about it in the article on BroadwayWorld.com.