Washington, D.C. Visitors Guide - Winter/Spring 2009 - (Page 5) hAPPy birthdAy, Abe DC Celebrates the linColn biCentennial B arack obama’s historic election is over, but the excitement continues in DC as cultural institutions, hotels and restaurants in the region join together for a tribute to one of america’s most influential past-presidents whose legacy inspired the theme of obama’s inauguration. february 12, 2009 marks the 200th anniversary of lincoln’s birth, and DC is honoring honest abe with a four-month celebration, Living the Legacy: Lincoln in Washington, DC. running through april 30, the promotion examines the life of the sixteenth president through exhibitions, performances, lectures and tours, plus themed packages and offerings at DC’s hotels and restaurants. presidential history buffs won’t want to miss the major lincoln events and commemorations, including the february reopening of Ford’s theatre, the still-operating landmark where lincoln was assassinated in 1865. the renovations bring audience-friendly updates to the theater, such as a spacious new lobby, new seating and an upgraded sound system. in honor of the bicentennial, ford’s will stage the world premiere of a speciallycommissioned play, “the heavens are hung in black,” by James still, chronicling the struggles lincoln encountered late in his life. the national Archives joins in the celebration by displaying the original emancipation proclamation, signed by lincoln, for five days (feb. 12-16). at the newly reopened national Museum of American history, discover a fascinating exhibition of more than 60 historical treasures drawn from the smithsonian’s unique and unparalleled lincoln collection entitled, Abraham Lincoln: An Extraordinary Life (on display through January 2011). at the national Portrait gallery, a special exhibition, One Life: The Mask of Lincoln examines the way lincoln used the new art of photography to convey his image to americans. coinciding with Living the Legacy. the parallel lives of frederick Douglass and abraham lincoln will be discussed at the national archives on Jan. 22, while author John stauffer will discuss contributions of african americans during the Civil War at the Martin luther King Jr. Memorial library on feb. 3. a special exhibition, is on display at the national Postal Museum mar. 6-8. other venues throughout the city participating include the washington national cathedral, offering a series of lectures, musical performances and guided tours; the Smithsonian American Art Museum, where a small, focused exhibition celebrating lincoln’s second inaugural ball is on display; and the Jewish historical society of greater washington, where Jewish life in the DC area during the Civil War will be examined in an original exhibition, as well as the ways in which local Jews interacted with president lincoln and thier myriad contributions to the war effort. H log on to lincolnindc.com to see a full lineup of programming, hotel packages, restaurant offers and more. lincoln’s role in the abolition of slavery is explored through discussions and special exhibitions for more information on Living the Legacy including program schedules, presidential sites, themed hotel packages and more, visit lincolninDC.com. Official Visitors Guide 5 get an inside look at lincoln’s presidency and family life at one of DC’s newest attractions, the recently opened President lincoln’s cottage. the charming cottage is considered the most significant historic site directly associated with lincoln’s presidency aside from the White house. the Cottage will take a closer look at lincoln’s legacy through the eyes of his most enthusiastic admirers who’ve amassed extensive private lincoln collections of their own in a special exhibition, My Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln in DC lincoln’s legacy lives on at dozens of sites in DC throughout the year. pay an inspiring visit to the lincoln Memorial or to the emancipation statue in lincoln park, east of the Capitol. pose for a photo with his wax figure at Madame tussauds. stop at the new york Avenue Presbyterian church in downtown DC, where lincoln and his family worshipped in early 1861. http://www.lincolnindc.com http://www.lincolnindc.com http://www.lincolnindc.com
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