Spielberg’s ‘Lincoln’ props to find a home in Springfield

Do you follow the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum on Facebook? If you don’t, you should.

Then you wouldn’t miss news like this exciting announcement: “Key sets, costumes and props” from Steven Spielberg’s movie “Lincoln” will be displayed “for many years to come” in an exhibit, “Lincoln: From History to Hollywood.”

The sets for Lincoln’s office and Mary Lincoln’s bedroom will be in the exhibit at Union Station, across 6^th Street from the museum in Springfield, Ill., beginning in early 2014.

The exhibit will also include costumes, such as Lincoln’s suit, some of Mary Lincoln’s dresses and young Tad Lincoln’s Zouave uniform, as well as props like the stethoscope used in the death scene, papers and magazines used as office props, and the gloves Daniel Day Lewis wore in his Academy Award-winning performance of Lincoln.

Union Station will serve as a museum annex, with video presentations about the movie to complement the exhibit.

Admission for children will be free, when accompanied by adults, whose admission charge is $5. A new “full experience” package offers museum visitors a savings, though. For $15, which is $3 more than museum-only admission, adults can see both the museum and its annex “Lincoln” exhibit.

Spielberg and DreamWorks Studios are loaning the items to the museum, with transportation costs covered by the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Foundation, not tax dollars.

“It is an honor to have this exhibit at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum,” says Spielberg. “When we visited for research on the film, it was our thought that there might be an opportunity to bring such an exhibit to Springfield, and that is now a reality.”

From one Lincoln buff to another, I say, Kudos, Mr. Speilberg! Your movie resurrected the Lincoln story, eliciting a new wave of interest in the 16^th President, his life and legacy. Thank you! I can’t wait to see the exhibit.

Visit the ALPLM Facebook announcement to read the full release.

Mourning a tragic loss

I always hoped the first blog post I devoted to Liam Neeson would be the one in which I celebrated work beginning on Steven Spielberg’s proposed Lincoln film. I’ve heard for some time now that Neeson is pegged to play Abraham Lincoln.

Instead, I use this forum to offer the actor and his family my sympathy and prayers on the loss of his wife, Natasha Richardson, in a skiing accident.

Mr. Neeson, Ms. Redgrave, family and friends: May you find strength in the love of those around you and the outpouring of concern and well wishes from around the globe. I am so sorry for your loss.

A reminder to the rest of us
It’s at times like this we are reminded how fleeting our lives on this earth can be. A few years back, I really admired the work of a regional journalist. I couldn’t wait for the paper to arrive each day so I could read his column, but I never took the time to tell him. When he was killed suddenly in an auto accident, I lost the chance forever. I won't let that happen again.

Don’t ever hesitate to reach out to let people know how much you appreciate them and what they’ve done to bring joy into your life or make it easier – whether it’s an actress, an author of a Lincoln book or the cashier who waits on you at the local supermarket. As I’ve encountered people in the Lincoln community and in many other walks of life, it’s a rare person who doesn’t genuinely appreciate hearing those words, “Thanks. You’ve touched my life and I’m glad.”

And, with those closest to you, remember to close always with “I love you.” Ann

What about Spielberg’s Lincoln?

The press is alive this week with talk of Steven Spielberg and his proposed Lincoln film, which is supposed to star Liam Neeson as Abraham Lincoln and rumored to star Sally Field as Mary Todd Lincoln.

Why this week? Maybe because when someone wins a lifetime achievement award at the Golden Globes, it puts them in the spotlight. And the light was on Spielberg big time as he was honored with the Hollywood Foreign Press Association's Cecil B. DeMille Award.

Congratulations, Mr. Spielberg
Lifetime achievement? How cool! You’re not even “old” yet!

As I think back on others who’ve received similar awards, they always seem to come very late in life when people are really old. Yet, Spielberg has accomplished more in his 62 years than most people could in a dozen lifetimes. It’s nice to see him honored at this stage of his life and career.

I read several articles about Spielberg this evening, but my hat goes off to Gregg Kilday of Hollywood Reporter.com. He wrote not only of the award, but of the film that started the “train rollin’” and piqued the film legend’s interest in moviemaking when he was just six years old.

Say when?
Like all the other writers, Kilday addresses the issue of when production will begin on the Lincoln project. Apparently, Spielberg says only it’s “coming together really quickly.” It would be nice if we could see progress on this film while the interest in Lincoln and the bicentennial of his birth is still timely – at least within the next year or so.

Spielberg's no dummy. He knows timing is everything. I don't think he'll let us down. When he’s ready to spread the word, this blogger would be glad to scoop the news. (Hint, hint, Mr. Spielberg.)

A gift to be treasured
You’ve got to like the guy, not only for all the great movies Spielberg’s brought us and the way he’s been a leader in his field, but also because he understands the importance of those who really make a difference – mentors. And, by the same token, he believes in serving as a mentor himself.

I’ve always been enthralled by the roles mentors play in others’ lives - from Lincoln and his mentors to Carl Sandburg and Philip Green Wright to the great mentors I’ve had. As one who has been blessed with strong and nurturing mentors in the workforce, academia and the Lincoln world, I’m convinced the influence of a good mentor is one of the greatest gifts a person can receive – or give. If only all could be so fortunate...

I can’t help but wonder, was Steven Speilberg’s most famous line, “May the Force be with you,” really his tribute to his own mentor, Sidney Sheinberg? In Kilray’s article, Spielberg is quoted as sharing Sheinberg’s promise to him, “I will be there for you in success, but I will also always be there for you during the tough times."

When you’re blessed with such a mentor and you recognize how lucky you are, you’re blessed indeed. My bet is the infamous line was Spielberg’s tribute to Shienberg. The Force was surely with this brilliant protégé.

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.