Thank you to all of the presenters and performers who made this a one of a kind experience:

-Dr. George Rable
-The Christian Home Educators in Lowndes County
-Chris Small
-Chuck Yarborough
-Carol West
-The 1st Mississippi Light Artillery Turner’s Battery
-Pat Arinder
-Dr. Thomas Cockrell

We would also like to thank all of those who helped support us in this endeavor including the American Library Association, National Endowment for the Humanities, The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, Huntington Library, Lincoln Bicentennial, Mississippi Humanities Council, Columbus Convention and Visitors Bureau, Friends of the Columbus-Lowndes Public Library, The Billups-Garth Foundation, Columbus Historic and Heritage Foundation, Columbus Lowndes Historical Society, Columbus Main Street Organization, and the Southern Women’s Institute at Mississippi University for Women.

We will continue to work hard to provide such educational opportunities for our local community in the future!

Thanks again,

Staff of the Columbus-Lowndes Public Library

WASHINGTON – A collector believes a photograph from a private album of Civil War Gen. Ulysses S. Grant shows President Abraham Lincoln in front of the White House and could be the last image taken of him before he was assassinated in 1865.

If it is indeed Lincoln, it would be the only known photo of the 16th president in front of the executive mansion and a rare find, as only about 130 photos of him are known to exist. A copy of the image was provided to The Associated Press.

Grant’s 38-year-old great-great-grandson, Ulysses S. Grant VI, had seen the picture before, but didn’t examine it closely until late January. A tall figure in the distance caught his eye, although the man’s facial features are obscured.

He called Keya Morgan, a New York-based photography collector and Lincoln aficionado, who helped identify it as Lincoln.

“I was like, ‘I don’t know who this is, Keya,’” said Grant, a Springfield, Mo., construction business owner.

Although authenticating the 2 1/2-by-3 1/2-inch photo beyond a shadow of a doubt could be difficult, several historians who looked at it said the evidence supporting Morgan’s claim is compelling and believable.

Morgan talked Grant into taking the photo out of the album and examining it for clues, such as the identity of the photographer.

“Not knowing who the photographer is is like not knowing who your mother or father is,” Morgan told Grant.
Grant carefully removed it and was shocked to see the handwritten inscription on the back: “Lincoln in front of the White House.” Grant believes his great-grandfather, Jesse Grant, the general’s youngest son, wrote the inscription.

Also included was the date 1865, the seal of photographer Henry F. Warren, and a government tax stamp that was issued for such photos to help the Civil War effort between 1864 and 1866.

Morgan recalled the well-documented story of Warren’s trip to Washington to photograph Lincoln after his second inauguration in March 1865. Lincoln was killed in April, so the photo could be the last one taken of him.

Warren, a commercial photographer from Massachusetts, enticed Lincoln into his frame shortly after the inauguration by taking pictures of young Tad Lincoln and asking the boy to bring his father along for a pose, according to the book, “Lincoln in Photographs: An Album of Every Known Pose,” by Charles Hamilton and Lloyd Ostendorf.

“This is the first act of paparazzi ever toward a president,” Morgan said. “Lincoln is not too happy at all.”
Historians say it has been decades since a newfound Lincoln image was fully authenticated. And in the Grant photo, it’s not obvious to the naked eye who is standing in front of the executive mansion.

You can see the White House, a short gate that once lined the building, and, on the lawn, a Thomas Jefferson statue that was later replaced with a fountain. Five people can be seen standing in front of the building. The tall man’s face is obscured, but zooming in on the image with a computer reveals a telling beard.

“Once you scan it and blow it up, you can see the whole scenario — there’s a giant standing near the White House,” Morgan said.

At 6-foot-4, Lincoln was the tallest U.S. president.

Morgan, who has sold photographs of Lincoln and other historical figures to the Smithsonian Institution, the White House and others, said he purchased the image from Grant for $50,000 in February. It will be added to Morgan’s $25 million collection of Lincoln artifacts and original images.

Several historians say Morgan has a good case.

Will Stapp, who was the founding curator of the National Portrait Gallery’s photographs department and who now appraises fine art and photographs, said he’s usually cynical about such claims. But he said he was “very satisfied that it’s Lincoln” in the picture.

“It looks to me like Lincoln’s physique,” he said. “I can see his hairline. I can see the shadow of his beard.”
White House curator William Allman said the photo appears to include Lincoln. “I guess there’s always an element of doubt,” he said. “It feels pretty likely, though.”

Even if it’s not Lincoln, it would be among the oldest photographs of the White House.

Lincoln artifacts have recently been hot commodities leading up to the 200th anniversary of his birth, and President Barack Obama has evoked his memory several times for his work to unify the nation.

The significance of the photo is difficult to judge, Stapp said. It does show the relative freedom Lincoln had compared with presidents today, and offers a unique view of the White House from the 1860s, he said.

“We don’t so much think of (Lincoln) as living at the White House,” Stapp said. “In that respect, I think it’s an important find.”

To celebrate Presidents’ Day, we have conjured up Abraham Lincoln, but in a less-than-presidential pose: with earbuds dangling from his ears. Classical music commentator Miles Hoffman agreed to explore the 16th president’s musical tastes, as well as what music Lincoln might have chosen for his iPod, had he owned one.

The Lincoln iPod would have needed a lot of memory, as the president apparently enjoyed all sorts of music and loved opera. His love of opera apparently got him into trouble during the Civil War, when he was taken to task for attending a performance while the war was ongoing. To this, the president responded, “The truth is I must have a change of some sort, or die.”

“We know that Lincoln liked the opera Martha, by Friedrich von Flotow, and had it performed during the festivities for his second inaugural,” Hoffman says. “Martha is not performed very often now, and it’s mainly known for one very beautiful aria, ‘Ach so fromm,’ where the male romantic lead, Lionel, sings a love song to the title character, Martha.

“We also know that one month before he died — on March 15, 1865 — Lincoln attended a performance of Mozart‘s Magic Flute at the National Theatre in Washington,” Hoffman says.

Another big favorite of Lincoln’s was a kind of “crossover” artist, Louis Moreau Gottschalk. A Southerner by birth, born in New Orleans, Gottschalk was a one-of-a-kind composer, a virtuoso pianist and, perhaps surprisingly, a supporter of the Union cause. One of his most famous pieces is The Union (Fantasy on Patriotic Airs). When you listen to the beginning of the piece, it sounds like any flashy, 19th-century European virtuoso piano piece. But then Gottschalk launches into the tunes we all know, treating them in his own inimitable way.

Lincoln was also partial to popular music and sentimental ballads, such as the songs of Stephen Foster. One of his favorites was an old Scottish love ballad called “Annie Laurie.”

Remarkably, No. 1 on Lincoln’s iPod might have been his all-time favorite, “Dixie.”

“It had already been a popular song before the Civil War and came from a minstrel show,” Hoffman says.

“Lincoln had been quoted as saying, ‘I have always thought “Dixie” one of the best tunes I have ever heard.’ “

“After the war,” Hoffman adds, “he is reported to have said, ‘That tune is now federal property, and it is good to show the rebels that, with us in power, they will be free to hear it again.’ “

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=100675699

The following link is to a NPR broadcast discussing Lincoln and the importance of remembering the birth of one man who changed the face of this country.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=100377337

After clicking on the link, simply click on “Listen Now”.

The following is a list of events occurring this week as part of the events scheduled for the “Forever Free” Exhibit at the Columbus-Lowndes Public Library.  All events are free and open to the public.

For more information, call Mona K. Vance at 662-329-5304.

·        February 11, 2009 (Wednesday)

10:00-11:00am

Look at Lincoln

Christian Home Educators in Lowndes County

(CHELC)

A series of skits about Abraham Lincoln presented by children from the Christian Home Educators in Lowndes County organization.  Children dress in costumes created by the students themselves. The purpose of CHELC is to provide information and support to Christian home school families who meet in the Lowndes County area. The performances are free and open to the public.

To find out more about CHELC go to

http://www.homeschool-life.com/ms/chelc.

·         2:00-3:00pm

Friends of the Library Book Talk

(open to the public)

A Slave No More: Two Men Who Escaped to Freedom

By: David W. Blight

Talk by: Mona K. Vance 

A discussion on the book A Slave No More: Two Men Who Escaped to Freedom led by Archivist Mona K. Vance on behalf of the Friends of the Library. The book focuses on two unpublished manuscripts by former slaves Wallace Turnage (1846–1916) and John Washington (1838–1918), and offers an illuminating analysis by award-winning historian David W. Blight. It is a coming of age story, offering a unique window on life (learning to read, falling in love, finding religious faith) in a slave society. Blight provides an accessible historical and literary context for the manuscripts and explores the men’s lives not covered in their manuscripts. These powerful memoirs reveal poignant, heroic, painful and inspiring lives.

·        February 12, 2009 (Thursday)
 

6:00-7:00pm

Mr. Lincoln and Emancipation

Chris Small as Abraham Lincoln

In Mr. Lincoln and Emancipation, Chris Small portrays Abraham Lincoln and discusses his emerging views on slavery and emancipation.

(BIO) Chris Small, President and CLE of The Lincoln Project^SM, gave his first presentation as Abraham Lincoln in 1997. He officially founded The Lincoln Project^SM in 2003. Chris has a graduate degree in Communication, with a specialty in Interpretation & Performance Studies, and has directed Playback Theatre, Bibliodrama, and Boal-based Sociodrama. Additionally, Chris is a sought-after speaker with Small Associates^sm; is a member of the National Communication Association, the Abraham Lincoln Association, the Association of Lincoln Presenters, the Andrew Johnson Heritage Association; and may be found on the National Registry of Living Historians. He is featured in two films about Abraham Lincoln to be released in 2009.

Find out more about Chris Small, the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial, and the resources available through The Lincoln Project^SM at www.thelincolnproject.com.

Dr. George C. Rable discussed Abraham Lincoln’s Civil Religion and examined how the complex and controversial story of Lincoln’s own beliefs became part of the larger story of religion during the American Civil War.  By exploring Lincoln’s private thoughts and public statements on topics such as providence, the divine will, war, emancipation, and death, Dr. Rable revealed how the President both reflected and transcended his era.

George C. Rable is the Charles G. Summersell Chair in Southern History at the University of Alabama. A native of Lima, Ohio, he received his B.A from Bluffton College (1972), his M.A from Louisiana State University (1973), and his Ph.D. from Louisiana State University (1978). He served as President of the Society of Civil War Historians from 2004-2008.  His books include:  Fredericksburg! Fredericksburg!, The Confederate Republic:  A Revolution Against Politics, Civil Wars:  Women and the Crisis of Southern Nationalism , and But There Was No Peace:  The Role of Violence in the Politics of Reconstruction.  He is currently writing a book with the working title, “A Religious History of the American Civil War.”

Be sure to check out future events listed under the “Programs/Events” section of this blog.  Also, photos of the exhibit as well as all events included in the “Photos” section.

All events are free and open to the public.

For more information, call Mona K. Vance at 662-329-5304.

A few weeks ago, I contacted Dr. David Blight to learn more about his recently published book “A Slave No More”.  Since I will be giving a book talk on the book on February 11^th, I thought it would be interesting to hear Dr. Blight’s thoughts regarding his journey in researching and writing his book.  The next thing I knew, however, I was in the car and headed to Mobile, Alabama! 

The reason for the trip was to witness the unveiling of an historic marker in downtown Mobile for the escaped slave Wallace Turnage (1846-1916), whose memoir is included in Dr. Blight’s book. 

Other makers also dedicated that weekend included one on the Mobile slave trade and the other to honor Michael Donald.  Donald (1962-1981) was the last African American man to be lynched by the Knights of the Ku Klux Klan (KKK).  His murder and the subsequent wrongful death suit by the Southern Poverty Law Center (founded by attorneys Morris Dees and Joseph J. Levin, Jr. in 1971) on behalf of his mother Beulah Mae Donald ultimately bankrupted the United Klans of America, the largest KKK organization in America (www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/USAdonaldD).

I reached Mobile around 5pm and was instantly greeted by a wonderfully warm woman by the name of Dora Finley.  I would soon learn that Dora is a walking talking history book on the city of Mobile! If you need to know, ask Dora. Dora and I drove to the Mobile Regional Airport and picked up Dr. David Blight.  From there, we went to eat at a new restaurant in Mobile called The Bull.

Over dinner, I was fascinated to learn about Dr. Blight’s research into writing his latest book.  He talked about how he toured the city of Mobile to learn about all the people and places that Wallace Turnage mentioned in his memoirs including Collier Harrison Minge (Turnage’s owner while in Mobile); Minge’s house, now the site of the Mobile Saenger Theatre (www.mobilesaenger.com); the largest slave market in Mobile, now the site of the downtown headquarters of the Alabama Power Company; Fort Powell, which no longer exists; and Fort Gaines, still standing on Dauphin Island (www.dauphinisland.org/fort).

At the same time, I learned a great deal from Dora about the African American legacy in Mobile County.  I highly recommend taking a trip there and visiting the over 25 historic markers now in place highlighting numerous African American people and events.

The next day at 2pm, the historic marker unveilings took place near the Saenger Theatre and there were well over 200 people in attendance.  Near the front of the room a slideshow scrolled through the numerous historic markers that have already been installed as part of the trail.  To start things off, the Bishop State Community College Choir (www.bscc.cc.al.us) sang several African American spirituals.

Then, both Morris Dees with the Southern Poverty Law Center and Dr. David Blight spoke about two of the individuals being honored with historic markers, Michael Donald and Wallace Turnage. Soon thereafter, Dr. Blight and Dora Finley physically unveiled the Turnage marker as attendees looked on from a balcony one block away.

Afterwards, I had Dr. Blight sign the Columbus-Lowndes Public Library’s copy of “A Slave No More”. 

All in all, it was a fantastic weekend filled with notable cultural events for the city of Mobile.  I am thrilled to have attended and pleased to have met such wonderful and dedicated individuals.

Thank you to Dr. David Blight, Dora Finley, and the rest of those involved with the African American Heritage Trail throughout Mobile.

A video clip of the events produced by WKRG News 5 can be seen at www.wkrg.com/education/article/african-american_heritage_trail_growing/22953

Photographs of other historic markers dedicated as part of the African American Heritage Trail can be viewed at www.cityofmobile.org/news.php?view=full&news=1065.

Making acceptance comments will be Morris Dees and Dr. David

Wallace Turnage c. 1880s (Image from "A Slave No More" by David Blight)

Blight. Dees, cofounder of the Southern Poverty Law Center, filed a suit on behalf of Michael Donald’s family, bankrupting the United Klans of America.  Dr. Blight, a renowned Yale University Civil War historian, wrote A Slave No More.  The book chronicles the life of Wallace Turnage, a slave in Mobile during the Civil War and his journey to freedom in 1864. The Saenger Theater was built on the home-site of Turnage’s owner, Collier Minge at 118 Conti Street. The AAHT marker for Wallace Turnage will be installed at that location.

All three markers will be ceremoniously unveiled at Space 301 at the event, but only the Turnage marker will be physically unveiled because of its close proximity to the event.  The Michael Donald marker will be physically installed on Michael Donald Avenue and the Slave Market Marker will be physically installed on Royal Street, between St. Anthony and St. Louis Streets.

A reception and book signing immediately follow the unveiling.  Dr. Blight will sign his book, A Slave No More.  Ravi Howard will sign his novel, Like Trees Walking, which is based on the Michael Donald story.  Howard will receive the Ernest J. Gaines Award for Literary Excellence later this month for his book. 

The unveiling ceremony is free and open to the public.

Two copies of the book A Slave No More: Two Men Who Escaped to Freedom by David Blight are now available for checkout at the Columbus-Lowndes Public Library. The book focuses on two unpublished manuscripts by former slaves Wallace Turnage (1846–1916) and John Washington (1838–1918), and offers an illuminating analysis by award-winning historian David W. Blight. It is a coming of age story, offering a unique window on life (learning to read, falling in love, finding religious faith) in a slave society. Blight provides an accessible historical and literary context for the manuscripts and explores the men’s lives not covered in their manuscripts. These powerful memoirs reveal poignant, heroic, painful and inspiring lives.

The story of Wallace Turnage follows his numerous escape attempts from Pickensville, Alabama through Columbus, Aberdeen, and on to Corinth, Mississippi in 1863.

You may find this book in the Non-Fiction section with the call number 326 Bli.

A Slave No More is also the selected book for the Friends of the Library Book Talk on February 11 from 2-3pm at the Columbus-Lowndes Public Library.  Archivist Mona K. Vance will explore the major themes of the two memoirs.

For more information regarding this book go to http://www.davidwblight.com/asnm.htm.