DIRECTOR’S LETTER
Dear Friends,
This month marked the 154th anniversary of President Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address, which is one of his last and most enduring speeches. In the Second Inaugural Address, Lincoln asked the divided country to bind up wounds… “with malice toward none, with charity for all” … and to “…strive on to finish the work we are in…” Alongside the Gettysburg Address and the Emancipation Proclamation, these works have become part of President Lincoln’s lasting legacy. Lincoln understood that the path to unifying the country without sacrificing our ideal would take the effort of many. Similarly, here at the Cottage, we know that we can achieve our mission through the generous commitments of our supporters.
Thanks to your commitment to this remarkable place, we are nearing completion on several projects, including a new gallery space and preservation of the west balcony and cast iron south veranda stairs. We are also in the midst of several new and exciting projects, including a new digital curriculum we have named “The Open Field Project,” and our first-ever podcast. I also hope to see you at one of our many programs this spring, including Cottage Conversations, Bourbon & Bluegrass, and our annual Lincoln Ideas Forum, which has the theme this year of voting rights. On that same theme, we’re pleased to feature an essay on Lincoln’s views on voting rights and free and fair elections by Senior Executive Assistant Zach Klitzman. I hope you enjoy it!
With appreciation,
Lincoln and Elections
“The ballot is stronger than the bullet” has entered the popular imagination as a powerful Lincoln saying. It remains poignant in light of the fact that Lincoln was assassinated just a few months after being reelected. Would his second term have had a more positive impact on American history than what happened after his assassination? We’ll never know. Even if the exact wording of the phrase is a bit debatable, the sentiment is thoroughly Lincolnian. Throughout his life, in both his own writings and in others’ recollections of the president, this theme of voting having more power than violence holds steady, as does his commitment to the importance of free and fair elections.
Calling All Young Activists!
Do you know any young activists wanting to make a difference? President Lincoln’s Cottage is now accepting applications for the 2019 Students Opposing Slavery (SOS) International Summit–which was featured in Teen Vogue and on CNN— June 23-28, 2019.
Students don’t need any prior knowledge about human trafficking (that’s where we come in), simply an open mind and desire to make a difference. During the week-long Summit, participants will:
-
- Continue Abraham Lincoln’s fight for freedom
- Create an international network of young abolitionists to develop brave ideas around ending slavery in our time
- Engage with modern abolitionists working to end human trafficking
- Participate in off-site excursions that build teamwork and awareness around the modern fight to end slavery–which includes a ropes course, and other outings around Washington, D.C.
For more details, click here. For questions, email [email protected].
APPLY TODAY (Applications are due April 8, 2019)
Cottage Madness: The Best Civil War Facial Hair
Another year, another #CottageMadness come and gone. This year we asked you to vote on the best Civil War Facial Hair. After four rounds of voting we have our winner…
CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT WHO WON
President Lincoln’s Cottage Podcast
We’re thrilled to announce we’ve been working on the first-ever podcast from President Lincoln’s Cottage: Q&Abe.
During tours, visitors often ask poignant questions that we would like to spend more time answering. In Q&Abe, we’ll do just that. We’ll take real visitor questions from the tour that we wish we could spend 20 minutes answering and delve into them, bringing on scholars and experts to explore the question from all angles. Join us as we journey down the rabbit hole of all things Lincoln.
Coming to earbuds and speakers near you in spring 2019. Want to be alerted when the first episode is ready? Email [email protected] to stay in touch.
UPCOMING PROGRAMS
Lincoln Ideas Forum
WHEN: April 12
TIME: 1 PM – 3 PM
This spring President Lincoln’s Cottage will explore the pressing issues around voting rights for the fifth annual Lincoln Ideas Forum. Join us as we bring together experts, scholars, and the public in an exploration of the historic contexts of citizenship, voting rights, and the Constitution, alongside the contemporary repercussions of debates over who gets elective franchise.
This event is SOLD OUT, however, if you’d like to be added to the wait list, email [email protected]. You can also follow along on social media @LincolnsCottage #LincolnIdeas the day of!
Cottage Conversation: The Presidents
WHEN: May 23, 2019
Join us as Susan Swain from C-SPAN discusses the new book The Presidents, which is organized in the order of the results of C-SPAN’s 2017 Historians Survey on Presidential Leadership.
Cottage Conversation: DC Monument Man: The Life and Art of Daniel Chester French
WHEN: **June 12, 2019
Join us as Harold Holzer discusses his new book, DC Monument Man: The Life and Art of Daniel Chester French.
**Please note, this date has been changed! Originally in April, this Cottage Conversation has been moved to June 12 due to a scheduling conflict. Please note June 12 is a Wednesday evening.
Bourbon & Bluegrass: June 1 & 2, 2019
Join us Saturday, June 1 and Sunday, June 2 to lounge on Lincoln’s front lawn, sip bourbon, and enjoy live bluegrass music as part of our fifth annual Bourbon and Bluegrass event. All proceeds go towards preservation efforts at President Lincoln’s Cottage. Just like last year, we’re giving Team Lincoln members exclusive access to a presale two days before the general public. Skip the line and nab your tickets before they sell out by becoming a Team Lincoln member today.
JOIN TEAM LINCOLN
The special pre-sale for $100+ Team Lincoln members will start at noon, Monday, April 15. General ticket sales will begin at noon, Wednesday, April 17. (All pre-sale tickets are subject to being checked to our membership records). Questions? Email: [email protected]
Preservation Update
Coming in May! To better serve the needs of our community, we are transforming a static gallery in our Visitor Education Center into a vibrant, multi-purpose gathering and meeting space. The new dynamic design offers interactive opportunities for our community to engage with each other and create their own brave ideas. Here’s a teaser of what’s to come:
News and Awards
- Executive Director and CEO Erin Carlson Mast was a guest on the History, Bitches podcast for the Elizabeth Keckly episode, just in time for International Women’s Day
SUPPORT PRESIDENT LINCOLN’S COTTAGE
Support our educational programs, preservation efforts and public events by making a contribution to President Lincoln’s Cottage. Donate online today.
Categories:Archive, Newsletter
Tags:e-newsletter
