On Sept. 26, a related exhibit, “Lincoln: A Life and Legacy that Defined a Nation,” opens at the presidential museum. It will give visitors an up-close look at dozens of the artifacts and documents in the book, including the desk where Lincoln wrote his First Inaugural Address, a leather portfolio Lincoln carried at the White House, the last axe Lincoln ever used and a medal of honor awarded to a Black soldier during the Civil War. New technology will be used to animate historic photos, reminding visitors that each image captured a real person in moments of triumph or tragedy.
Among the “Lincoln: A Life and Legacy” highlights:
- A child’s red, white and blue apron transports us to the historic Senate race between Lincoln and Stephen Douglas
- A legal document introduces the first enslaved person freed with Lincoln’s help
- A small square of copper offers a glimpse into the lives of enslaved people in Charleston, SC.
- A simple axe connects to both Lincoln’s frontier roots and his final days
- A collection of ordinary tools reveals an extraordinary story of greed and incompetence after Lincoln’s death
A faded document covered with signatures represents Lincoln’s greatest achievement and a turning point in American history.