Lincoln-Douglas debate comes to Elmhurst

During the 1858 Illinois senatorial election campaign, a historic series of seven debates took place across Illinois between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas.

Historians look back on the debates as some of the most significant and influential political showdowns in our country's history, with the two candidates sparring over issues essential to the preservation of the Union, including slavery and states' rights.

The Elmhurst History Museum will bring these political gladiators back to life during the Lincoln vs. Douglas Debate, a special program at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 31, in the council chambers of Elmhurst City Hall at 209 N. York St.

Highlights from the debate series will be reenacted by accomplished first-person history presenters George Buss as Lincoln and Tim Connors as Douglas. Buss and Connors appear together regularly throughout the country to share their popular living history program with audiences.

Registration for the Lincoln vs. Douglas Debate is required and can be made online at www.elmhursthistory.org (in the Adult Programs section) or by calling (630) 530-6879.

The program is free to members of the Elmhurst Heritage Foundation and $5 for others. Seating is limited and free parking is available in the city hall parking lots and on nearby streets.

The Lincoln vs. Douglas Debate is presented in connection with the museum's current exhibit, "Sign of the Times: The Great American Political Poster 1844-2012," which is open March 29 through April 28 at 120 E. Park Ave.

The exhibit features 50 of the most exciting and rarely-seen presidential campaign posters in U.S. history, spanning more than 165 years.

Admission to the exhibit is free, and program participants are welcome to view the exhibit after the program until 5 p.m.