Events
As a member of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Foundation, you get exclusive invites and special discounts to some of these events. Check out the discount rates and events for specific details. Become a member today.
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"Four Score Speaker Series" with Ed Achorn
Tuesday, March 9th, 7pm CST (Zoom webinar)
Join us as Dr. Christian McWhirter, ALPLM Lincoln Historian, interviews Ed Achorn about his latest book, Every Drop of Blood: The Momentous Second Inauguration of Abraham Lincoln. Achorn vividly captures the frenzy in the nation’s capital at this crucial moment in America’s history and the tension-filled hope and despair afflicting the country as a whole, soon to be heightened by Lincoln's assassination. His story offers new understanding of our great national crisis and echoes down the decades to resonate in our own time. Visit www.edachorn.com for more information about Mr. Achorn.
Register here.
The 14th Lincoln Leadership Prize Virtual Event Honoring Gary Sinise
Tuesday, April 13th
Gary Sinise, Founder, President, Chairman, Gary Sinise Foundation, is the 2021 Lincoln Leadership Prize recipient. Sinise’s stage, film and television career has spanned more than four decades. In 1974, at 18 years old, he co-founded Chicago’s Steppenwolf Theatre Company. 20 years later, for his performance as Lt. Dan Taylor in Forrest Gump, he received nominations for Golden Globe, Screen Actors Guild and Academy Awards, and earned the Best Supporting Actor Award from the National Board of Review and the Commander's Award from the Disabled American Veterans. Read more.
Details to follow.
"Four Score Speaker Series" with Dr. David Silkenat
Tuesday, April 20th, 7pm CST (Zoom webinar)
Join Dr. Christian McWhirter, ALPLM Lincoln Historian as he interviews Dr. David Silkenat, Professor at The University of Edinburgh, about his latest book, Raising the White Flag: How Surrender Defined the American Civil War. Dr. Silkenat provides the first comprehensive study of Civil War surrender, focusing on the conflicting social, political, and cultural meanings of the action. Looking at the conflict from the perspective of men who surrendered, Silkenat creates new avenues to understand prisoners of war, fighting by Confederate guerrillas, the role of southern Unionists, and the experiences of African American soldiers. The experience of surrender also sheds valuable light on the culture of honor, the experience of combat, and the laws of war.
Register here.
Kate Warne, America's First Female Private Detective
Wednesday, May 5th, 7pm CST (Zoom webinar)
In 1850, Allan Pinkerton developed an organization that eventually became the renowned Pinkerton National Detective Agency. The company logo featured an open eye and the motto “We Never Sleep.” With the promise of persistence in the face of danger, Pinkerton agents secured wealthy business clients such as the railroads and banks as their reputation for honesty and success grew.
Pinkerton was known for innovations in the field of detection. His advertisement in the Chicago newspapers drew interest from a widow with a background in drama. Kate Warne, America’s first female private detective, joined the Pinkerton Agency in 1856 and used her acting talent to secure information from dangerous criminals. She was exceptionally talented at insinuating herself into the social circle of suspects.
Warne’s skill was put to the test throughout the Civil War era. This plucky woman was part of the team that discovered a plot by Southerners who were determined to assassinate Lincoln before he could be inaugurated. Join us, as Kate Warne describes the steps taken by the Pinkerton agents to foil the Baltimore Plot and safely smuggled President-elect Abraham Lincoln into Washington, DC.
Register here.
A 'No-holds Barred' Interview With President/General Ulysses S Grant
Wednesday, June 9th, 7pm CST (Zoom webinar)
Fellow Illinoisan, Ulysses S Grant, is one of the least understood of our American heroes. He is regarded highly by some and scorned by others. This is not unusual for him as even his good friend, General Sherman, said that Grant was an enigma even to himself.
Our program will be an interview with Grant himself, played by Larry Werline, with no question off-limits. Grant was known for his honesty so there could be some interesting answers to some of his most controversial topics.
Register here.