INDIANAPOLIS —
The Indiana State Museum is opening its second Lincoln exhibition, highlighting one of the world’s most comprehensive collections of Lincoln artifacts, the Lincoln Financial Foundation Collection, gifted to the State of Indiana in 2008. The realities of Lincoln’s life are far more complex and interesting that most folklore about him reveal.
This exhibition of more than 150 objects explores the lives of Abraham Lincoln’s kin from his mother’s and father’s struggle in early 19th century Kentucky through the death of his last direct descendent. Priceless objects on loan from several of America’s leading historical institutions will help provide context for this rich and compelling family story from Feb. 9 through Aug. 4.
“The personal nature of our collection allows the museum to explore the extended Lincoln family, and to focus on Abraham as a son, husband and father,” observed Dale Ogden, senior curator for Cultural History. “The catalog that we are publishing with this exhibition will give even more depth for people who really enjoy learning about this great man.”
Highlights of the exhibition include:
• Sum Book:
The pages of Lincoln’s “sum book” have long been separated, but many were gathered to exhibit together in the largest-ever collective showing. This was the book Lincoln himself put together as he “home-schooled” himself.
n Land Grant, March 4, 1780:
President Lincoln’s grandfather, Abraham (1744-1786), was born in Pennsylvania and settled in Virginia, where he served in the militia during the Revolution. Captain Lincoln and his wife Bathsheba moved their family to a large farm near Louisville, Ky., in 1781. In 1786, Lincoln was killed by Indians while working in his fields with his three sons. The eldest boy, Mordecai, shot and killed one of the raiders, thereby saving the youngest child, Thomas.
• Meissen porcelain figurine belonging to Mary Todd, circa 1835:
As a young woman of substance, Mary Todd was a prolific collector of Meissen porcelain figurines. The production of fine porcelain in Meissen, Germany, began in 1710 and soon attracted many of Europe’s most talented artists. Evolving from practical uses such as tea sets to decorative figurines, exclusive Meissen porcelain was avidly collected by the elites of Europe throughout the 19th century.
• Desk set from the Lincoln-Herndon Law Office, Springfield, Ill., circa 1850: Wooden inkwell, walnut pen holder, blotter shaker and porcelain ink jar
Lincoln eventually joined William Herndon in a highly successful legal practice in the state capital. Frontier lawyers often spent up to six months a year traveling from town to town to find work. Such a schedule, combined with a burning political ambition, later moved Lincoln’s eldest son Robert to recall, “During my childhood and early youth he was almost constantly away from home, attending courts or making political speeches.”
• Robert Todd Lincoln to Edgar Welles, May 28, 1870, handwritten letter:
Robert’s closest friends included Edwin Stanton Jr., the son of President Lincoln’s Secretary of War, and Edgar Welles, the son of Lincoln’s Secretary of the Navy. Robert reveals their easy camaraderie in this letter, which reads in part, “I . . . can’t for the life of [me] make out whether you are really on the downward path to matrimony or not — Did you really mean that you are taken in and done for?”
The Emancipation Proclamation and 13th Amendment will remain on exhibit at the museum until March 2, marking the 150th anniversary of Lincoln’s signing and issuing of the Emancipation Proclamation.
The Indiana State Museum is in White River State Park in downtown Indianapolis. For more information, call 317-232-1637 or visit www.indianamuseum.org.
Bash
Displays at Indiana State Museum feature five aspects of Lincoln’s life
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Crossroads Rep opens with ‘You Can’t Take It With You’
The 2013 summer season for Crossroads Repertory Theatre at Indiana State University bears the theme, Three Laughs and A Scream. It opens June 21 with a comedy that has remained popular since it was first staged in 1936: “You Can’t Take It With You.”
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Kick off summer with Strawberry Fest today in Terre Haute
The First Congregational Church is planning its 25th annual Strawberry Festival from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. today at Sixth and Ohio streets.
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‘Pirates’ to invade Terre Haute Children’s Museum on Saturday
The Terre Haute Community Band will perform “A Pirate Adventure: The Treasure of Music!” at 2 p.m. on Saturday at Terre Haute Children’s Museum.
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Marshall City Band to perform June 14
The Marshall City Band will perform a concert at 8 p.m. CDT Friday on the lawn of the Clark County Courthouse in Marshall, Ill., under the direction of Ralph Stewart. An ice cream social is planned in conjunction with the concert.
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Church to host 12 Points block party June 15
Maple Avenue United Methodist Church will host its annual block party for the 12 Points and Collett Park neighborhoods from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.
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YMCA celebrates anniversary with open house
The Vigo County YMCA is planning a celebration in honor of its one-year anniversary from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. The facility will be open to the public for free use, with the exception of the pool for non-members. Also, the Y will offer free youth and adult fitness classes.
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Fontanet FACT to host pasta dinner June 15
There will be a pasta dinner from 2 to 7 p.m. Saturday at Fontanet Community Center, by the Fontanet Action Community Team.
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WWE event hits Hulman Center June 14
Wresting’s top superstars are crashing into the Hulman Center at 7 p.m. on June 14.
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Learn about ‘The Wabash in Legend and Lore’ at Symphony fundraiser
Hear Vigo County historian Mike McCormick speak on “The Wabash in Legend and Lore” during the Terre Haute Symphony League’s fundraiser at noon Wednesday in the Country Club of Terre Haute. Reservations are due Friday.
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Fire and Police Museum now open Saturdays
The Historical Fire Station No. 9, Fire and Police Museum at 1728 S. Eighth St., has reopened for the summer.
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Brazil Concert Band to honor retiring bandsman in Sunday concert
The Brazil Concert Band, under the direction of Matthew S. Huber, plans to honor retiring bandsman Wayne Parkins in a special edition concert “Hail To The Chief” at 8 p.m. on Sunday, rain or shine.
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Winery to feature Donnie Baker June 15
Comedy Night Saturday will feature Donnie Baker from the “Bob & Tom Show” with opening act Todd McComas from 6 or 9 p.m. on July 27 at Castle Finn Winery in Marshall, Ill.
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Indy Symphonic Band to perform June 15
The Indianapolis Symphonic Band will begin its fifth summer concert season with Flag Day concert from 7:30 to 8:15 p.m. on Saturday at Fort Harrison State Park.
The performance will highlight band music themed to Flag Day, which was celebrated on Friday. -
Stroll among handmade treasures, walk among gardens
Gather at the gardens, and walk where Lincoln walked.
Take a leisurely stroll among the unique handmade treasures created by artisan vendors.
These opportunities are coming Saturday, as the Paris Altrusa Club and First United Methodist Church offer an “Art Faire and Garden Walk” for visitors. -
Celebrate heritage, horses during Heritage Days on Old National Road
Celebrate heritage and horses Saturday and Sunday in downtown Martinsville, Ill. An events team of Martinsville on the Move has planned a weekend of attractions and family activities during the Heritage Days on the Old National Road festival.
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Children’s Theater to present ‘Joseph’ June 28, 29
Children’s Summer Theater at Lincoln Trail College will present “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” at 7 p.m. on June 28 and 29 in the Zwermann Arts Center Theater in Robinson, Ill.
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Meet PBS KIDS in the Park at Indianapolis June 15
For two decades, WFYI’s PBS KIDS in the Park has served as a treasured family tradition to nearly two generations of Hoosiers. This year, the festival is celebrating its 20th anniversary as one of the largest PBS KIDS events of its kind in the nation.
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See ‘Beanstalk The Musical!’ in Carmel June 14
Booth Tarkington Civic Theatre’s Jr. Civic will premiere the kids-only production “Beanstalk! The Musical!” on Friday at The Tarkington at The Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel.
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EIU venue to feature Andy Gross
Eastern Illinois University’s Doudna Fine Arts Center will feature comedic performer Andy Gross on July 18.
- Theater listings: June 13, 2013
- Concert listings: June 13, 2013
- Live Events: June 13, 2013
- Museums listings: June 13, 2013
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Concert to honor Indiana composers, arrangers
The Terre Haute Community Band kicks off its summer season with Indiana’s official state song, “On the Banks of the Wabash, Far Away,” written by Terre Haute’s own Paul Dresser.
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Water show kicks off Vigo library program
The Vigo County Public Library will stage its kickoff event for the summer reading program “Dig into Reading” with a water show from 3 to 4 p.m. on Monday on Walnut Street in downtown Terre Haute.
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All Valley artists encouraged to submit art at Vigo County Fair
Artists from throughout the Wabash Valley are encouraged to submit works to the 84th Vigo County Fair, which will take place July 7-15 at the Wabash Valley Fairgrounds.
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Boy Scouts to host wings dinner
Boy Scout Troop 311 is hosting an all-you-can-eat boneless chicken wings dinner from 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday at the VFW Post 972 at 12th and Mulberry streets.
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River City Art Association features Valley artist’s fused glass work
River City Art Association and the Vigo County Public Library are featuring fused glass artwork by Edith Acton of Terre Haute throughout June in the library at Seventh and Poplar streets.
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Coon Holler Kids to perform at festival
The Coon Holler Kids will perform bluegrass music after the Jonah fish fry on Saturday at the Rosedale Strawberry Festival.
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Paint on the Patio at The Landing
Terre Haute artist Sujata Gopalan will present Painting on the Patio from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. June 28 at The Landing at Fort Harrison.
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