Waukegan museum presents new Abraham Lincoln pop-up exhibit
The Waukegan History Museum of the Waukegan Historical Society and the Waukegan Park District has a new pop-up exhibit titled "Abraham Lincoln: A Man of His Time, a Man for All Times" on view in the theater at the Jack Benny Center for the Arts, 39 Jack Benny Drive, Waukegan, in Bowen Park.
The exhibit was recently given to the Waukegan Historical Society from the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History. It runs through Feb. 28, is appropriate for all ages, and is free to view.
In conjunction with the Lincoln pop-up exhibit, the Waukegan Historical Society has Doug Stiles returning to tell the story "Lincoln's Watch" on Sunday, Jan. 6. Stiles will present the program at both 1 and 4 p.m.
In 1861, Abraham Lincoln brought his watch to a Washington, D.C., jeweler to be repaired. Did the jeweler, Jonathan Dillon, add an inscription inside the watch? Hear the story of how this question was answered as told by Waukegan attorney Doug Stiles, a descendant of Dillon's.
The story made worldwide news coverage. Come hear the firsthand account of how everything transpired with this unique Lincoln artifact that is today part of the Smithsonian Museum's collections.
The free program is open to the public.
The pop-up exhibition traces Lincoln's path from a self-educated, rough-hewed lawyer with virtually no administrative experience to the president who guided a divided nation through the crisis of slavery, secession and Civil War.
The intention of the exhibit is that presenting Lincoln's own words in speeches, letters and proclamations will encourage a deeper understanding of the 16th president's life, accomplishments and legacy.
Additional Waukegan History Museum exhibits have been added to the Lincoln exhibit. "The Civil War: The War Efforts in Waukegan" tells a comprehensive story of how the Civil War affected local citizens. The years leading up to the war are featured with stories including local Underground Railroad connections, as well as Lincoln's memorable visit to Waukegan.
Stories of Waukegan soldiers are told, including the famous drummer boy, Orion Howe, who was awarded the Medal of Honor for his bravery on the battlefield at Vicksburg at the age of 14.
Also on display is a feature on the Lincoln assassination, which includes a newspaper from the day of the assassination and a model of the Lincoln Family home in Springfield, which is decorated as it was during the Lincoln funeral.
For more information, contact the Waukegan Historical Society at (847) 336-1859, email museum@waukeganhistorical.org, or visit www.waukeganhistorical.org.