A Lincoln Road Trip, part two

‘And then you see it, incredibly, unfurling its granite steps before you.’

Dwight Pitcaithley, former chief historian of the National Park Service, once wrote that the ‘perception’ of an historical artefact is ‘part of the nation’s ritualist public tribute to its own humble origins.’ In firming up ‘the nation’s image’ of itself, this perceived historical artefact is ‘indispensible’. He was referring to Lincoln’s birthplace, the very cabin before you. (Not, of course, to the less humble marble and granite monument around it.)

A Lincoln Road Trip, part one

If you’re driving north of Nashville along U.S. Route 31E, which for almost 150 miles runs parallel to interstate highway 65, you’re probably patting yourself on the back for slyly avoiding the toll road. Or maybe it isn’t a toll road — but nevertheless I’ve just brought you into one of the secrets of American road-tripping. (Where there is one road there is also another, older road that is cheaper, pleasanter, directer and so often no slower than the new one.)

The Emancipation Proclamation: 150 Years

Richard Carwardine: “Abraham Lincoln, Irish Americans and the US Civil War”
The 2013 Sulgrave Manor Watson Chair Lecture
at the British Library

This year marks the 150th anniversary of President Lincoln signing the Emancipation Proclamation. While the Emancipation Proclamation did not mark the ultimate fulfilment of the declared American principle that “all men are created equal”, it was a major and remarkable step, providing a route to the post-Civil War Constitutional Amendments ending slavery, establishing equal rights under law, and protecting the right to vote.

The Emancipation Proclamation signaled that the war to restore the Union had become a struggle for a more profound freedom. Such significant steps present challenges to society. On 18th March 2013, one day after St Patrick’s Day, Professor Richard Carwardine, world-renowned expert on Abraham Lincoln, and President of Corpus Christi College, Oxford, examines in particular the trenchant questions asked of the Union loyalism of the Irish American community by his bold and public redefinition of the North’s war aims.

The 2013 Sulgrave Manor Watson Chair Lecture is sponsored by Sulgrave Manor, ancestral home of George Washington’s family in England, and supported by the Eccles Centre for American Studies at the British Library.

When: 18th March 2013; 18.30-20.00
Where: British Library Conference Centre, London
Entrance Free – by prior reservation.
For Booking details: http://www.bl.uk/eccles/events.html#carwardine

Linkin’ Lincoln (with Norfolk)

Attention, Norfolk kids and parents! On 30th October, Hingham Library will host amazing presidential event for ages 7 to 12. Hear the story of Abraham Lincoln’s life and learn about his Norfolk (Hingham!) ancestors. Create an American flag and write your own presidential proclamation! Children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult. 10-11:30 am. Free. Booking is advisable; 01953 850621.

The Lincoln Memorial, Washington, D.C.