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Lincoln exhibit opens
The Lincoln exhibit at the Mountain Home Public Library kicked off its three-week stay with a gala ceremony last Thursday featuring state and local dignitaries, an appearance by "Honest Abe" himself, and participation by the Idaho Civil War Volunteers, a re-enactor group dressed and outfitted in period costume.
It was a colorful evening with children and adults enjoying spending time with the re-enactors and Skip Critell, a Lincoln look-a-like, as well as touring the exhibit that fills the library.
The exhibition is actually two exhibits, one provided by the Idaho Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission, and the other, "Forever Free," provided by the American Library Association. Together, they explore the major aspects of Lincoln's life and presidency, and his considerable impact on the state of Idaho, which entered the Union as a territory during Lincoln's administration.
Funds to pay for the transportation costs to bring the exhibit to Mountain Home were provided by the Friends of the Library group.
Mountain Home was the first appearance outside of Boise for the traveling exhibit, and those who attended it's original opening at the State Historical Museum in Boise last month said the turnout in Mountain Home was considerably larger.
Emcee John Hiler opened the ceremonies Thursday, recognizing bicentennial commission members Leslie Goddard and Mildred McNeal. It was McNeal who had worked to ensure that Mountain Home would host the first exhibition outside of Boise. Over the next 22 months, the exhibit will travel throughout the state, celebrating the 200th anniversary of Lincoln's birthday in 2009.
Mayor Tom Rist told the crowd of over 100 people attending that "when I first saw this unloaded, I was stunned" at how large the exhibit was. Library and parks and recreation staff spent two days putting the exhibit together.
"You won't find this much information about Lincoln in one place unless you go to D.C.," he said, inviting the entire community to visit the exhibition during its stay at the library through March 22.
While the bicentennial commission exhibit looks at Lincoln's life overall and his impact on Idaho, the ALA exhibit focuses on the events leading up to the freeing of the slaves, a process Hiler noted, "was the result of many different motivations and compromises." Goddard, in her remarks, pointed out the limits on the Emancipation Proclamation (in only freed slaves in areas that were "in rebellion"), and true freedom didn't come until passage of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, which Lincoln insisted each southern state ratify before it would be readmitted to the Union.
Deputy state controller Brad Hoagland, noted that Lincoln had a major impact on Idaho's formative years, not only in creating the territory, whose resources, notably gold and silver, were used to help the federal cause in the Civil War, but also in appointing many of the original territorial officers.
Ironically, Hiler said, when the federal government created the Oregon Territory (of which modern Idaho was a party) in 1849, President Zachary Taylor offered the governorship to Lincoln, who turned it down. But, he said, "imagine what would have happened to the mosaic of history if it had taken just a little turn" and Lincoln had accepted.
"This is fantastic," said C.D. Houston, about the display. "It has a lot of relevance for me as an African-American, and also being a retired military service member, it has special memories for me."
"I think it's outstanding. It's a great opportunity for all of our students and citizens to view a great piece of history," added Police Chief John Walter
366th Fighter Wing Commander Col. James Browne added, "I'm very impressed with the quality of the display and the historical relevance for the state of Idaho. It's awesome."
In conjunction with the exhibit, a number of events have been planned.
Tuesday night the library hosted Professor David Adler from Idaho State University who presented a program on "Lessons of the Lincoln Presidency"
Next week, on Tuesday, March 18, at 6:30 p.m., the library will be hosting independent scholar, writer and lecturer Betti VanEpps-Taylor. Taylor will be presenting a program entitled "Hiding in Plain Sight: African Americans in the American West 1802 -1880."
Both Adler and Taylor were brought to the library through the Idaho Humanities Council Speakers Bureau.
Thursday, March 20, at 6 p.m will be a youth "Lincoln Day" at the library. Youths are invited to come dressed as the 16th President or in clothing from the Civil War Era.
School classes from throughout the area als are planning tours of the exhibit during the next three weeks.