Kentucky Historical Society
KHS Provides Legislators, Public a Window into Kentucky’s Abraham Lincoln

FRANKFORT, KY (February 3, 2009)— The Kentucky Historical Society (KHS) is offering Kentucky legislators and the public a look at the key people, places, and events connected to Kentucky's Abraham Lincoln story during the 2009 Kentucky General Assembly in observance of the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial commemoration.

Each day during the legislative session, legislators will view a vignette highlighting the people, places, and events that establish Lincoln as a Kentuckian along with an illustration or portrait from the KHS collections and other repositories. This information will also be available for the public to view on the Legislative Research Commission Web site, http://www.lrc.state.ky.us/, and the KHS Web site.  Topics range from Lincoln's family roots and early childhood in Kentucky to the significant relationships Lincoln formed after leaving the commonwealth that influenced his political career and his presidency.

KHS will kick off its February events on February 12, 2009, Lincoln’s 200th birthday, with free admission to Beyond the Log Cabin: Kentucky’s Abraham Lincoln, the commonwealth’s signature bicentennial exhibition, at the Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History in Frankfort.  The Kentucky General Assembly will be invited to honor Lincoln on his birthday with a joint session at the Old State Capitol, followed by a reception featuring the Kentucky State University Gospel Choir at the Center.

The celebration will continue on February 14 with Family Fun Day, an event held in cooperation with Kentucky Educational Television (KET).  Children and families are invited to put on their stovepipe hats and join KHS and Clifford the Big Red Dog in celebrating Abe’s 200th birthday at the Center. At this free event, children will be able to learn a period dance, try crafts and games from Lincoln’s era, enjoy birthday cake, and have their picture taken with Clifford.  Everyone will have the chance to chat with Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln presenters, watch live KHS Museum Theatre performances, and enjoy Beyond the Log Cabin and A Kentucky Journey, the Center’s permanent exhibition.

Events at the KHS history campus will culminate on February 16, 2009 when noted historian and author Michael Burlingame visits the Center. Burlingame, who has edited or authored twelve books investigating the life and times of Lincoln, will come to Frankfort as a second stop on the book tour for his most recent work, Abraham Lincoln: A Life.  As Doris Kearns Goodwin has noted, “Lincoln scholars have waited anxiously for this book for decades. Its triumphant publication proves it well worth the wait. No one in recent history has uncovered more fresh sources than Michael Burlingame.”  Seating is limited for this event, so contact Julia.curry@ky.gov to reserve tickets.

The Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial, a national commemoration, began in February 2008 and closes on February 12, 2010. Communities, historic sites, libraries, and schools across the commonwealth have planned events and activities for the commemorative period.

For more information about KHS’s February Lincoln events, visit www.history.ky.gov or call 502-564-1792.  To learn more about Kentucky's Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial commemoration and Lincoln-related events happening across the state, visit kylincoln.org. 

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An agency of the Kentucky Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet, the Kentucky Historical Society, since 1836, has provided connections to the past, perspective on the present, and inspiration for the future.  KHS operates the Old State Capitol, the Kentucky Military History Museum, and its headquarters, the Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History.   Since 1999, the thirty-million-dollar Center has welcomed more than one million visitors.   For more information about the Kentucky Historical Society and its programs, visit the Web site at www.history.ky.gov.