D.C. Organizations Plan Collaborative Effort for Lincoln’s Bicentennial in the Capitol City

At the invitation of Jennifer Rosenfeld, the deputy director of the national Lincoln Bicentennial Commission, nearly thirty groups met on May 29th to deliberate on the many ways to celebrate the birthday of our most revered president – Abraham Lincoln.

Collaboration was in the air when Linda Harper of Cultural Tourism D.C. promised a well-designed calendar listing all the D.C. activities.  Among the numerous offerings that will appear on this DC calendar:

The Library of Congress’s long-anticipated exhibit is focused on its singular collection of documents supplemented by some nearly unique artifacts including his beaver hat, the contents of his pockets the night he was assassinated, and possibly a cane his widow gave to Frederick Douglass.  Technology, as utilized in the Library’s exciting “Explore the Early Americas,” map exhibit “opens up” the exhibit.  Lincoln may have been a facile writer, nevertheless he wrote and re-wrote his magnificent public speeches as will be revealed in this exhibit. A complementary book edited by Harold Holzer and Joshua Shenk will include brief essays from Doris Kearns Goodwin, Toni Morrison, John Updike, Walter Mosely, Conan O'Brien among many others.

This exhibit attempts to answer the questions: Why does Lincoln tower above all others?  Why is he beloved?  Complementary programs at the LOC include: a film series; a concert; an exploration of Lincoln in fiction; and a seminar on March 4th organized by curator John Sellers.

Curatorial staff is equally energized at the Smithsonian where Harry Rubenstein, the coordinator for all Smithsonian Museums’ programs on Lincoln, has said that nearly every museum is contributing to the Lincoln Bicentennial – and they will open in time for the inauguration.  I have heard that the National Zoo will feature stories about the Lincoln children's pets – goats – and a dog named Jip. The Museum of American History, newly re-opened, will have a 3,500-square foot exhibit that personalizes Lincoln, tracing his Midwestern roots to his presidency. Famous Lincoln documents will be borrowed to supplement this exhibit. There will be a panel discussion on the meaning of race and another on Lincoln, science and technology. The Washington Choral Arts Society will illuminate the National Portrait Gallery exhibit.  

The National Cathedral will attempt Paul Hindemith's monumental choral work "When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom'd” and a seminar on Lincoln's God. Researchers have informed me that several of the most renowned pre-World War II refugees, including Hindemith, quoted from Lincoln's most famous speeches when they were naturalized.  Perhaps at the re-dedication of the Lincoln Memorial quotes from the refugee/citizens will be featured in the program.

The D.C. Public Library is making no small plans. Madame Tussaud's wax Lincoln will greet all visitors when they tour the exhibit Forever Free. Major historians, like James McPherson and Jim Horton, will headline a series of monthly talks organized by the library. One program will compare Lincoln and the revered Mexican president Juarez.  Emancipation Day will be celebrated with a parade ending at the Martin Luther King Library where there will also be a Civil War encampment.

The Shakespeare Theatre will explore Lincoln's enduring love of the Bard with a symposium titled Freedom's Stage and a performance of Lincoln's favorite sonnets and soliloquies. 

The House of Representatives Historians' Office imagines that it may explore Lincoln's role in the Congress with a discussion about Lincoln and Kentucky's Henry Clay- Lincoln's beau jest featuring Robert Remini, historian of the U.S. House of Representatives, and University of Illinois professor and Vernon Burton, author of The Age of Lincoln.

The Crusor Family Foundation will exhibit at the Sumner School Museum on the first African American commemoration of Lincoln from 1865.

The National Park Service is working with nearly everyone in a three fold- re-dedication of the Lincoln Memorial. The Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the U.S. is planning a wreath laying on February 12.   The NPS also will join with the Washington National Opera and the ALBC on a celebration and concert featuring Denyce Graves on Easter Sunday, April 12. On May 30, the NPS will re-enact the 1922 dedication of the Memorial – “four score and seven years” to the day.

DC Mayor Adrian Fenty's Office and his Secretary of the District, Stephanie Scott, will collaborate with Howard University and the ALBC on a conference about Emancipation worldwide, and they hope to bring the musical group Sweet Honey in the Rock to the Easter Sunday Concert.

Gallaudet University will celebrate the 145th anniversary of President Lincoln's signing of its school charter.

Many DC groups are still looking to partner with others including the Elderhostel and the Children's Chorus of Washington. The Cherry Blossom Festival may have volunteers to work with others.

This is by no means a complete listing of planned events in D.C. - just a flavoring.  As exciting as these ideas are, more are needed.  We hope to hear from all the area universities and colleges, from the embassies, and from all those with an interest in Lincoln.

Posted by David Early at 06/24/2008 11:06:42 AM |