Lincoln Bicentennial Events

Civil War Permanent Exhibit - "A State of Conflict: The Civil War in Kentucky"
Kentucky Library & Museum
Opening Fall 2008 and portrays a soldiers' life, being in camp, battles, as well as the occupation of Bowling Green and what it was like for civilians.

Special Exhibit on Presidential Funeral Trains
L & N Depot and Historic Railpark
Includes photo collection of Civil War-era trains.

Civil War Living History Days
Lost River Cave and Valley
Weekend following the 4th of July and includes re-enactments, night fire and camps.

Civil War Exhibit: The African-American Experience
Shaker Museum at South Union
The Shaker Museum will be mounting an exhibit focusing on the Civil War's effect on the community. There are Lincoln connections because of period manuscript references and a manuscript copy of a letter they mailed to Lincoln during the war. The African-American experience at South Union will
also be addressed as there was no need for freedom within a Shaker village.

"With Malice Toward None" Touring Production
Kentucky Repertory Theatre
"With Malice Toward None", a multimedia production highlighting Lincoln's great speeches, letters and dramatic episodes set in the context of the Civil War with music, lights, sound and video. This production will tour schools, colleges, universities, theatres and performing arts centers throughout Kentucky and beyond.

Abraham Lincoln
Kentucky Repertory Theatre
"Abraham Lincoln" will open at KRT June 2008. "Abraham Lincoln," adapted from the play by John Drinkwater. Drinkwater's play was performed on Broadway in the early 20th century. This production is a powerful political drama following Lincoln's life from just prior to his election through the Civil War to his death in April 1865.

Both theatrical performances are official activities of the Kentucky Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission and are endorsed by the National Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission.

Temporary Exhibit
Hart County Rest Area

Mammoth Cave National Park
See Booth's Amphitheater, an underground room once visited by Shakespearean actor Edwin Booth, the brother of Lincoln's assassin, John Wilkes Booth. Edwin Booth is said to have recited Hamlet's "To be or not to be" soliloquy here.

Octagon House
Display room based on political differences opening Summer 2007.

Riverview at Hobson Grove
Focusing on Mary Todd Lincoln, Riverview will have programs, including stories from the Van Meter family's diary on how they followed Confederate troops around.

Western Kentucky University
Lincoln Symposium, for Oct. of 2008, which is intended to become an annual event.