Two centuries after Abraham Lincoln”s birth in 1809, he is one of the most revered figures in our nation”s history. Lincoln”s life, accomplishments, and legacy are the subject of a new traveling panel exhibition opening March 7 at the Columbus-Lowndes Public Library. “Abraham Lincoln: A Man of His Time, a Man for All Times” explores how Lincoln transcended his age and left a constitutional legacy for all Americans.
The exhibition, created by the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History and funded through a major grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities, will be on display from March 7 to April 4 as part of the statewide commemoration of the sesquicentennial, or 150th anniversary, of the American Civil War.
Study of a president
The exhibition tells the story of how Lincoln, a self-educated, rough-hewn lawyer with virtually no administrative experience, guided a divided nation through the crises of slavery, secession and Civil War.
It makes extensive use of Lincoln”s own words to encourage a deeper understanding of his principles and his legacy. Drawing on documents, broadsides, and ephemera from the Gilder Lehrman Collection, the panels examine the legacy of slavery and emancipation, and Lincoln”s commitment to every American”s “right to rise.”
“We are pleased to have been selected as a site for this exhibition,” said Archivist Mona K. Vance . “Lincoln”s achievements as president are well-known, but knowledge about our most famous president is dominated by a set of iconic images. Through reproductions of documents, photographs and posters, the exhibition invites visitors to learn about the challenges Lincoln faced and his accomplishments.”
Related events
The library is sponsoring free programs and other events for the public in connection with the exhibition.
Dr. Mike Ballard, professor and coordinator of the Congressional and Political Research Center at Mississippi State University, will speak on “Lincoln and the Western Theater of the Civil War” March 7 at 6 p.m.
Local historical Gary Lancaster will speak on “Columbus and the Civil War” on Wednesday, March 23, at 2 p.m.
All events will be held in the Meeting Room at the Columbus-Lowndes Public Library.
Find out more
The Columbus-Lowndes Public Library is one of 40 sites nationwide selected to host the exhibit, which the Gilder Lehrman Institute developed to mark the 2009 bicentennial of Lincoln”s birth. It was curated by Steven Mintz, professor of history at the University of Houston, and Richard Carwardine, Rhodes professor of American history at Oxford University.
To learn more about events remembering the Civil War sesquicentennial in Mississippi visit mscivilwar150.com.
For more information about the exhibit or other library events, contact Vance at 662-329-5304 or e-mail mvance @lowndes.lib.ms.us.
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