ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Lincoln Constitution and the Civil War exhibit at Calvert Library
Staff photo by JOSEPH NORRIS
A new exhibit on Abraham Lincoln, the COnstitution and the Civil War is now on display at Calvert Library in Prince Frederick through Aug. 24.
Abraham Lincoln remains one of America’s most iconic presidents more than 150 years after his assassination by John WIlkes Booth at Ford’s Theater in 1865. A new exhibit at Calvert Library at 850 Costley Way in Prince Frederick through Aug. 24 examines Lincoln, the Constitution and the Civil War.
The exhibit came about through the National ENdowment for the Humanities.
“The American Library Association put it all together,” Robin Truslow, public relations coordinator for Calvert Library said.
The display was built by the national Constitution Center in Philadelphia and was designed to travel to libraries all over the country. The response was so overwhelming the center built a total of nine copies that are being viewed nationwide.
There was a initial grant offered by NEH that Calvert Library applied for. The grant is allowing the library to offer features throughout the display’s time at the facility. The Federal City Brass Band performed and a Lincoln impersonator July 14.
Bill Grimmette, a Frederick Douglass portrayer, will be at the exhibit 11 a.m. July 28.
College of Southern Maryland professor Chretien Guidry will offer a discussion about the parallels between Lincoln’s Oath of Office and that of President Barrack Obama.
“When it came time for Lincoln to be sworn in aas president, the Lincoln family Bible was still en route to Washington,” Truslow said. “Chief Justice Roger Taney [a Calvert County native] had an aide go get the Bible Lincoln was sworn in on. President Obama was sworn in using the Lincoln Bible. Not many presidents have been.”
John Deeton from the National Archives will host a genealogical workshop from 10 a.m.-noon Aug. 4 on how to find your family’s Civil War history.
Mary Ann Jung portrays American Red Cross founder Clara Barton from 7-8 p.m. Aug. 8.
Fred Dellinger will host a screening and discussion og Lost River from 12:30-4:30 p.m. Aug. 11.
Michael Kauffman, author of “American Brutus,” will head a discussion on John WIlkes Booth 7-8 p.m. Aug. 15.
Truslow said docents wearing period costumes are on hand at different times to give tours of the exhibit. There also is Civil War memorabilia on display at the library, exquisite pieces ranging from firearms, swords and period newspapers describing various aspects of the conflict.
The exhibit is free. Docent tours are available at 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and from 4-7 p.m. Mondays through Thursday, 1-4 p.m. Friday and at 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and from 1-4 p.m. Saturday.
Go to www.calvertlib.md.us/lincoln.html or email rtruslow@somdlib.md.us.
jnorris@somdnews.com