Join leading Lincoln, Civil War and Reconstruction experts at June 17 symposium at Cantigny Park

The Abraham Lincoln Association invites all history buffs for a day of learning and mingling with nationally-renowned scholars and fellow enthusiasts Saturday, June 17 at Cantigny Park in Wheaton.

The symposium, which is free and open to the public, will focus on the increasing use of primary and original resources, i.e., letters and diaries, when studying one of the most fascinating periods in American history. They will discuss finding and vetting first-hand accounts from people who lived through the Civil War and Reconstruction, helping us better understand the era.

The speakers include one of the world's preeminent Lincoln biographers and historians, Michael Burlingame, author of "Abraham Lincoln: A Life"; and Library of Congress Civil War and Reconstruction specialist Michelle Krowl.

It will be 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. RSVP to Kay Smith at kaysmith.ala@gmail.com or 217-LINCOLN.

This Symposium will emphasize the increased use and availability of original and primary resources in the research and writing on Abraham Lincoln, the Civil War and Reconstruction. Other speakers include: Dan Weinberg, an expert on Lincoln documents and owner of Abraham Lincoln Bookshop, Chicago; Guy Fraker, author of "Lincoln's Ladder to the Presidency: The Eighth Judicial Circuit"; Robert I. Girardi, author and editor of nine books on the Civil War, including "The Civil War Generals"; William Griffing, creator of "Spared & Shared: Saving History One Letter at a Time"; Diana Dretske, author of "The Bonds of War: A Story of Immigrants and Esprit de Corps in Company C, 96th Illinois Volunteer Infantry"; and Jeffery Anderson, assistant curator of the First Division Museum at Cantigny Park.

Learn more at abrahamlincolnassociation.org.