Lincoln Buff 2 featured by two other bloggers

One of the greatest benefits of sharing the legacy of Lincoln online is the fellow Lincoln buffs and all around really cool people you meet around the world. Two of them actually wrote about my blog this week. I am flattered and thankful.

Recently, I told you about Ed Newman's Ennyman's Territory blog. You'll want to check it out. He's an individual with amazingly brilliant and diverse talent - not only a gifted writer but an accomplished artist, as well.

Mike Kienzler of the Springfield, Ill. newspaper, The State Journal-Register, writes The Abraham Lincoln Observer (ALO) blog. In an article yesterday, he wrote about our mutual Lincoln friend, photographer David Wiegers, and added a few words about my interview with Newman. Coincidentally, about ten years ago, I occasionally wrote freelance book reviews on Illinois-related subjects, including Lincoln, for the SJ-R. My books page editor, the late Doug Pokorski, reported to Kienzler. Though we've never met, and I hadn't even exchanged emails with him until Doug passed away suddenly a few years ago, I'm grateful for the opportunity Mike gave me to get my words in print. Thanks, ALO.

Of course, I love it when people read my blog. That's why I write it. But, please, check out Ed's and Mike's, too. You'll be glad you did.

© Copyright 2009 Ann Tracy Mueller. All rights reserved.

“He’s somebody we can all learn something from”

I just can’t not do it. If you’ve got a passion, you know what I mean. You pursue it because you’re drawn to it, you must do it, you just can’t not do it.

For me that passion is Abraham Lincoln – sharing his story, using it to inspire others, learning from it myself. Fortunately, this blog connects me to people who share that passion. When I can find the time, I like to tell their stories. Sometimes, they tell their own stories so well, I need serve only as the conduit through which the story flows to the rest of you. This is one of those times.

David Wiegers, a Lincoln buff from Gurnee (Ill.), was one of the earliest followers of my blog and one of the first to post a comment. Wiegers has his own passion. He’s crossed the United States photographing Lincoln statues – more than 200 of them. When he was featured recently on WILL television, Wiegers captured the essence of why so many of us are drawn to the Lincoln legacy. He said of the sixteenth President, “He’s somebody we can all learn something from.”

I recently asked Wiegers to tell me a little about his passion, including his plans for a book featuring the Lincoln statues. He did such a fine job telling the story that I see no need to rewrite it. So, Dave, congratulations! You’re the first guest author on Lincoln Buff 2.

A Life Worth Remembering: The Monumental Legacy of Abraham Lincoln

by David Wiegers

“Every statue should tell a story. It should portray a moment in our nation’s history or a man’s life that’s worth remembering.” Sculptor Gutzo Borglum

President Abraham Lincoln certainly lived a life worth remembering. He lives and is remembered by his eloquent words and remarkable life. One of the most important ways we remember Lincoln and the life that he lead is through the monuments and statues we have erected commemorating his life and times.

There are more statues, monuments and memorials dedicated to President Abraham Lincoln that any other American. In the United States there are approximately 225 “major” or “significant” pieces of public and private art erected to honor Lincoln in the United States . Outside America numerous statues honoring the memory of Lincoln stand in many foreign countries. Lincoln is memorialized in Mexico , Russia , Cuba , England , Scotland , Norway and Austria .

The 200th anniversary of the birth of Abraham Lincoln has arrived and, monuments celebrating the life of the 16th president continue to be dedicated in the United States despite the fact that Lincoln has been dead for 144 years. In the past 24 months alone, new statues commemorating the life of Abraham Lincoln have been erected in:

• Springfield (Ill.)
• Sterling (Ill.)
• Pontiac (Ill.)
• Jonesboro (Ill.)
• Hodgenville (Ken.)
• Tacoma (Wash.)
• Lockport (Ill.)
• Washington (D.C.)

In 2009 and 2010, new Lincoln works will be dedicated in:

• Jacksonville (Ill.)
• Bloomington (Ill.)
• Shelbyville (Ill.)
• Metamora (Ill.)
• Hillsboro (Ill.)
• Decatur (Ill.)
• Hillsdale (Mich.)
• Louisville (Ken.)
• Springfield (Ken.)
• Leavenworth (Kans.)
• Gentryville (Ind.)
• Gettysburg (Penn.)

Others are surely in the planning stages and not yet announced to the public.

With the Bicentennial of Abraham Lincoln’s birth being celebrated in 2009 and 2010, I believe that it is time for an updated, definitive work on the statues of Abraham Lincoln. It has been over 50 years since the last books on this subject were published.

In 1932, the first comprehensive cataloging of the bronze statues of Abraham Lincoln in the United States was done on behalf of the Lincoln National Life Foundation. The book was Heroic Statues in Bronze of Abraham Lincoln, written by Franklin B. Mead and was published by The Lakeside Press. Mead’s work covered only “heroic” or life-sized or larger studies of Lincoln . A good portion of the book was given to a complete telling of the story of a new Lincoln work commissioned by the Lincoln National Life foundation and created by the noted sculptor Paul Manship entitled The Hoosier Youth.

Donald Durman’s book, He Belongs to the Ages – The Statues of Abraham Lincoln, was published in 1951 and F. Lauriston Bullard’s book, Lincoln in Marble and Bronze, came out in 1952. Neither of these books is in now in print.

My book will update the literature on the subject of Lincoln sculpture and make available a complete catalog of all of the “major” public statues of Abraham Lincoln and select private pieces.

The purpose and ultimate goal of my project is to release a book that will update the information collected by Durman and Bullard and include updated information and photographs of the statues of Abraham Lincoln featured in those authors’ books. I will also tell the story of the works created and dedicated since 1952.

In the first sentence of the preface to his 1951 book, Durman said, “For many years there has been a need for a definitive work on the statues of Abraham Lincoln.” I believe that it is once again time for a new definitive work on the statues of Lincoln.

My project to document the statues of Abraham Lincoln will commemorate and celebrate the life of Abraham Lincoln by compiling in one place the 225 or more statues in the United States dedicated to Lincoln’s life, virtues, thoughts and ideals.

Between September of 2004 and April of 2009, I have visited over 30 states and have photographed 200-plus Lincoln statues in parks, public building, museums and private collections.

One thing that I hope comes about as a result of my book is a greater appreciation of these works of art. So many of these marvelous images of Lincoln are in deplorable shape and need cleaning and restoration. Perhaps raising the awareness around the country to the plight of some of these statues may help spur local communities and corporations to step forward with the funds to restore them.

The book, which has been photographed and written by Dave Wiegers, is not complete. I have just started to write the background on the statues I have selected for in-depth treatment. There are still about 15-20 new statues to be dedicated over the next 12 months and it is my intention to include as many of the new Lincoln works being erected around the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial in this work.

I am currently working a book proposal and readying it to send out to prospective publishers. Once a publishing house has agreed to take on this book, it will take approximately a year to get the book to print.

Lincoln Buff 2 says “Thanks”
Dave, I’m sure readers will appreciate as much as I the sharing the story of your passion with us.

Featured photos
The photographs above are of Wiegers and of a Lincoln statue recently dedicated in Springfield (Ken.).

Wiegers says the Kentucky statue is significant for two reasons:

• The sculptor is a woman from California, Paula Slater (pictured with the new statue.) There aren’t many major Lincoln pieces by women.
• It commemorates Lincoln’s parent’s marriage and his search for their marriage certificate in Washington County, Ken.

The Morencai Lincoln home is near there, as is the homestead where Nancy Hanks and the Lincolns lived. Weigers says, “It a beautiful area and worth a side trip if you get down towards Hodgenville.”

See where the statues are
In case you're wondering where the existing statues are, there's a really cool interactive map on the PBS website which celebrates the fine documentary, Looking for Lincoln, produced by the Kunhardts. The map links to photographs Wiegers took of the statues.

Know of another new or planned Lincoln statue?
Please share the news with Dave at dbwiegers[at sign]comcast[dot]net. He’s also learned of statues planned in :

• Joliet (Ill.)
• Lincoln City (Ind.)
• Rapid City (S.D.)

*My thanks to Mike Kienzler, aka The Abraham Lincoln Observer, of The State Journal-Register. With his editor's eagle eye, Mike noticed I had the forgotten the "i before e" rule in spelling Dave's name. Dave, I am so sorry. I've fixed it. Ann

© Copyright 2009 Ann Tracy Mueller. All rights reserved.

Snow Abe in person

Photos © David B. Wiegers 2009

Updated Feb. 1, 2009 at 11:45 a.m.

This story keeps getting cooler (no pun intended). David Weigers just sent me a link to the story in yesterday’s Daily Herald with a picture of the artist Joe Gagnepain putting the finishing touches on the sculpture. What a delight it was to see Gagnepain’s resemblance to his subject! Thanks for the link, Dave.

And, another bit of exciting news is that Gagnepain thinks the sculpture will last for a few weeks, so you’ve still got time to get to Aurora to see it.

Original article

I told you the other day about an Abraham Lincoln ice sculpture event in Aurora (Ill.). My Lincoln buff friend, David Wiegers of Gurnee (Ill.), originally tipped me off to the event and offered to provide pictures. He went to Aurora yesterday morning and generously shared his images so the rest of us can see Snow Abe, too.

I think sculptor Joe Gagnepain and his crew did a pretty neat job capturing Abe in snow - right down to the mole above his right lip and his unkempt hair. Wiegers says the statue "must be 10 feet tall."

Wiegers is great to keep me up to speed on other Lincoln sculpture event unveilings he's attending in celebration of the Bicentennial of Lincoln's birth and in preparation for his upcoming book documenting all Lincoln sculptures in the U.S. (tentatively due out in 2010). I'll be sure to share the news as he gets it to me.

A special thanks to Dave Weigers for faithfully reading my blog, sharing news in the Lincoln world and making a trip to Aurora to capture the Lincoln Portrait before it melted.

Lincoln in sculpture – Fleeting and lasting

One of the benefits of this Lincoln blog is the fellow Lincoln buffs I’ve met – scholars, authors, photographers, educators, fellow Lincoln bloggers. It’s really neat when they share their enthusiasm, experience, knowledge and tips.

Weigers captures Lincoln images
Recently, one of my readers tipped me off to a fleeting Abraham Lincoln sculpture here in Illinois – a sculpture made of snow. The reader, David Wiegers of Gurnee (Ill.), has crossed the country taking photographs of more than 200 sculptures of the 16th President. He’s planning to publish them in a book, with a tentative title, “A Life Worth Remembering - the Monumental Legacy of Abraham Lincoln.” In the meantime, you can see his work and many of the statues he’s captured at the “Looking for Lincoln” PBS film website. More on this Kunhardt-produced film with Doris Kearns Goodwin, Harold Holzer and others later.

Weigers learned of a Lincoln snow portrait being crafted in Aurora (Ill.) this week. I sent email to the media contact this morning to make sure it was still on. It is, so here’s the scoop from the Aurora Public Art Commission.

The nitty-gritty snowy details

• What: Abraham Lincoln ‘Snow Portrait in Progress’
• Where: Next to the David L. Pierce Center, Aurora (Ill.)
• When: Monday – Friday, Jan. 26 - 30, 2009
• Meet the artists: Snow portrait reception on Friday, Jan. 30 from 3 – 7 p.m.

The rest of the snow scoop*
In honor of the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial the Aurora Public Art Commission has commissioned a portrait of Lincoln, to be carved in snow by sculptor Joseph Gagnepain. This large-scale bust will be located in APAC’s sculpture garden, which is adjacent to the Pierce Center at 20 East Downer Place .

Gagnepain, a local freelance artist, has been carving snow for the past four years. With his teammates from Eau Claire, (Wisc.) "The Starvin' Carvists” have participated in multiple national and international snow sculpting competitions and commissions in Michigan, Illinois, and Italy. Last year his team placed first and second in an international competition held in two villages in Northern Italy.

To create the Aurora Public Art Commission’s Lincoln Bicentennial snow portrait, Gagnepain is assembling a team of local talent including Ed Pineada, Pete "Blast" Barrett and Marcus Mason. After foot packing (imagine stomping grapes for wine) the snow into a concrete form with snow plowed off of Mastodon Lake, the artists will use a model and photographs to scale the image onto the eight-foot block of snow. Differing from ice sculpting, the artists only employ hand tools - shovels, scrapers, horse brushes, saws, and homemade sanders.

In writing about his outdoor winter works, Gagnepain has stated: "I love snow sculpting, being close to nature, enjoying crisp/dry winter air, and being hands on with the pristine beauty of wonderful, white snow. I look forward to a good, snowy, cold winter each year."

Joseph Gagnepain is honored to have the opportunity to create a sculpture of Abraham Lincoln. A long time admirer of this former president, he has always wanted to use him as the subject for a work of art. The project also strikes a personal chord of pride for Gagnepain, as ancestors on his mother's side are cousins to Mary Todd Lincoln.The Lincoln portrait will be on display as long the cold weather holds.

* Thanks to Kathleen Swigart of the Aurora Public Art Commission for the information on the snow sculpture and a special thanks to my friend Dave Wiegers for the tip.

Scholars congregate and letter surfaces

There was plenty of Lincoln news today, and it’s too interesting not to share.

Lincoln Forum symposium opens
The Lincoln Forum symposium opened Sunday in Gettysburg. James R. Carroll of the Louisville (Ky.) Courier-Journal made sure the event was chronicled. You’ll want to read his article to hear what these Lincoln buffs have to say:

• Frank J. Williams, Rhode Island Supreme Court Chief Justice, quintessential Lincoln scholar, chairman of the Lincoln Forum, Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission member, author or editor of more than a dozen books, annual cataloguer of Lincolniana and more
• David Wiegers, an Illinois photographer
• David Leroy, chair of the Idaho Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission
• Daniel Weinberg, owner of Chicago’s famous Abraham Lincoln Book Shop

Like many of the scholars attending the symposium, Leroy, Wiegers and Williams are all in the midst of Lincoln book projects. Carroll tells you a little about a couple of them and why the Lincoln legacy continues to captivate people almost 200 years after his birth.

The Bixby letter (found?)
Even those who aren’t Lincoln buffs remember the famous Lincoln letter featured in the moving “Saving Private Ryan” – the letter the president wrote to a mother whose five sons all were believed to have perished in battle during the War Between the States.

The Dallas Historical Society recently found a document in its archives which it hopes is an honest-to-goodness copy of this famous letter. The letter will be appraised to help determine if it is the real deal. Read Jeff Carlton’s Associated Press story as featured in today’s Houston Chronicle to learn more.

By the way
Did you know that Steven Spielberg, who brought us Private Ryan, also has a Lincoln project in the works – supposedly in 2010? I’m not spreading any rumors about who’ll be filling the roles, but you can get a little info from the Internet Movie Data Base. In the meantime, if Mr. Spielberg wants to let Lincoln Buff 2 know the real scoop, I’ll be glad to share it with the rest of you.

© Copyright 2008 Ann Tracy Mueller. All rights reserved.