Abraham Lincoln by Kevin Wood

Lincoln and the Supreme Court: Little Drama, Much Impact

In stark contrast to modern U.S. Supreme Court nominations, all five of Abraham Lincoln’s nominees were approved by the Senate in one week or less with little drama. But that doesn’t mean that the Court wasn't a controversial topic in Lincoln’s day, or that Lincoln didn’t have a great impact on it. Read all about it in this post from 2018 (from the time of the Brett Kavanaugh nomination).

Lincoln and the Supreme Court: Little Drama, Much Impact During his four-year, one-month Presidency, Abraham Lincoln nominated five judges to the U.S. Supreme Court, including one Chief Justice. All five were approved within one week. That’s right: no …

Mr. Lincoln will be on the road from today through Saturday, visiting 9 senior residences, 3 schools, 2 libraries, and 1 museum. His travels will take him to various cities and towns in Ohio today and tomorrow (Columbus, Hamilton, and Cincinnati) and then in Illinois the rest of the week (Forrest, Fairbury, Bloomington, Normal, Mahomet, Champaign, Savoy, and Collinsville). He hopes that his horse holds up through all those miles!

When coronavirus hit 2 years ago, Mr. Lincoln had 60+ programs canceled from mid-March through the end of May 2020. He is therefore very happy that in 2022 he has nearly 80 in-person programs scheduled for the same period of mid-March through the end of May (and only 4 virtual ones). He does much prefer being in the same room (or outdoor venue) as his audience, even if it means that he can’t wear his house slippers! [Be sure to read the captions!]

You have two opportunities tomorrow (Thurs., March 3) to see live, virtual presentations of Mr. Lincoln’s program about his Illinois years, entitled “From Obscurity to Greatness: Illinois and Lincoln, 1830 to 1861”. The Zoom presentations will begin at 11:30 am (CST) via the Dunlap Public Library District and at 7:00 pm (CST) via the St. Clair County Genealogical Society of Illinois (the latter program is sponsored by Illinois Humanities Road Scholars).

Here are a few more photos from Mr. Lincoln’s time at the Chicago Travel and Adventure Show last weekend, representing Visit Springfield.

Mr. Lincoln is at the this weekend, representing Visit Springfield. Stop by and see us from 10:00-5:00 today or 11:00-4:00 tomorrow. Or better yet, plan a trip to Springfield!

This week is your opportunity to see up to 3 of Mr. Lincoln's most popular VIRTUAL programs, all open to the general public (all times CST):
*Tues., Feb. 15 at 6:30 pm: Palos Heights Public Library: “Lincoln on Slavery, Emancipation, and Equality”
*Wed., Feb. 16 at 7:00 pm: Eisenhower Public Library: “Abraham Lincoln: A New Birth of Freedom”
*Thurs., Feb. 17 at 11:30 am: Dunlap Public Library District: “From Obscurity to Greatness: Illinois and Lincoln, 1830 to 1861”

The name of the organization sponsoring Mr. Lincoln’s program this afternoon – the Ansel Brainerd Cook Chapter-DAR (Libertyville, IL) – has a special relevance to me (Kevin). Mr. Cook was my 5th cousin 4x removed. He is also the namesake of the Cook Memorial Public Library District as he donated his home & land for use as a library & park. His house is HQ of the Libertyville-Mundelein Historical Society & is on the Nat'l Reg. of Historic Places. Ansel & I are also related to David Brainerd, the 18th-century missionary to Native Americans.

Abraham Lincoln by Kevin Wood

Despite a few cancellations, Mr. Lincoln has another very busy week ahead of him, with 18 programs in the Chicago area from today through Sunday. Programs open to the public include (in some cases, reservations may be required; some also offer a virtual option):
* “Lincoln on Slavery, Emancipation, and Equality” at Tinley Park Public Library (Mon. 2/7 at 7:00 pm), Geneva Public Library District (Wed. 2/9 at 1:30 pm), Elmhurst Public Library (Wed. 2/9 @ 7:00 pm), St. Charles Public Library--St. Charles, IL (Thurs. 2/10 @ 1:00 pm, virtual only due to library closure), & Oak Brook Public Library (Thurs. 2/10 @ 6:00 pm);
* “A Visit with Mr. Lincoln” (children’s program) at Manteno Public Library District (Mon. 2/7 at 4:00 pm); and
* “A New Birth of Freedom” at The Center at Palos Park (Tues. 2/8 at 12:00 noon; $26 fee includes luncheon & program) & North Riverside Parks & Recreation North Riverside Parks & Recreation (Wed. 2/9 at 11:00 am; $25 fee includes apple pie with Abe).
For Mr. Lincoln’s full schedule, see www.mrlincoln.com.

Abraham Lincoln by Kevin Wood Abraham Lincoln portrayals by Kevin Wood (English)

Mr. Lincoln’s very busy month of February begins today (a day early!). He has 13 programs in WI this week: 5 at libraries, 5 at senior residences, & 3 at schools. His library programs (open to the public) are:
*Mon., Jan. 31 at 6:00 pm: Fox Lake Public Library (program at Community Congregational Museum)
*Tues., Feb. 1 at 3:00 pm: Germantown Community Library
*Tues., Feb. 1 at 6:00 pm: USS Liberty Memorial Public Library (Grafton Public Library)
*Wed., Feb. 2 at 6:30 pm: Mayville Public Library
*Thurs., Feb. 3 at 5:30 pm: Juneau Public Library Juneau Public Library
The program at Germantown is “Lincoln as Story-Teller”, while the other four are his standard “A New Birth of Freedom”.

Here are a few photos from Mr. Lincoln’s trip earlier this month to Louisiana, where he attended the American Historical Association annual conference and also did programs at 2 libraries, 2 schools, and 1 senior residence.

Mr. Lincoln’s wishes a happy National Activities Professionals Week / National Activity Providers & Professionals Week to all those Activities Directors, Life Enrichment Coordinators, Lifestyles Directors, etc. who provide much-needed & much-appreciated programming to the residents of senior living communities. And he reminds you that seniors love visits from Mr. Lincoln!

On this Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and throughout the year, may we remember, honor, and emulate those who have advanced the cause of freedom in this nation and around the world.
,

One of Mr. Lincoln’s highlights so far from his visit to New Orleans was a personal tour of the city as Lincoln would have seen it during his visits in 1828 and 1831, by Tulane professor Richard Campanella, who wrote the definitive book on the subject (and kindly gave me a copy). The first photo shows the spot where Lincoln most likely put ashore (the river has shifted since then).

Mr. Lincoln is in Louisiana for at least the next 8 days, staying at HI New Orleans Hostel while attending the American Historical Association conference & doing programs at Terrebonne Parish Library System (Gray), East Baton Rouge Parish Library (Baton Rouge), Houma Christian School, Northshore Prep (Mandeville), The Blake at Colonial Club (Harahan), & SummerHouse Vista Shores (New Orleans).