Lincoln exhibit attracts a crowd
CRANBERRY TWP — A Union Army sergeant ushered in visitors Friday at the Cranberry Public Library, where a monthlong program on the life and times of President Abraham Lincoln opened.
The "Forever Free: Abraham Lincoln's Journey to Emancipation" display was presented in the library conference room. The exhibit features paper money used during the Lincoln presidency and a storyboard display documenting several segments in Lincoln's life, including his youth, the conflict over slavery and the Civil War, the Emancipation Proclamation and his lasting legacies.
Attendees on Friday were welcomed by a Lincoln impersonator and a re-enactor performing songs from the Civil War.
More than 100 people attended the opening.
The Cranberry library is one of 63 libraries across the country to receive the exhibit, which was organized by the Huntington Library in San Marino, Calif., and the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History in New York City.
The program was made possible by major grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission, which was created by the U.S. Congress and charged with planning the national celebration of Lincoln's 200th birthday in 2009.
Librarian Pat DiFiore secured the exhibit by applying for a grant through the National Endowment for the Humanities. She received notice in 2006 that the $1,000 award was granted. DiFiore traveled to San Marino, Calif., for two training sessions on how to host the exhibit."We've been planning this exhibit for the past three years, so it's nice to see it come to fruition," she said, adding that only a period singer and Abraham Lincoln impersonator were part of the additional entertainment because she didn't want to take away from the exhibit.Other musical entertainment, lecture discussions and a re-enactment are planned for the upcoming weeks.Although some events that require registration are filling up, registration is still possible in others.Residents present at the opening say the exhibit is worth a visit.Jim Demchuk of Cranberry Township described the exhibit was "very interesting and forever pertinent.""If people of all generations and creeds would just read the letters and essays, it would give us a historically correct perspective to our race relations in the U.S.," he said.Steven Gundel of Cranberry Township thought the exhibit was "excellent and very informative."A self-described Civil War buff, Gundel plans to attend several other events throughout the exhibit's stay at the Cranberry library, which ends Sept. 19.
"Forever Free: Abraham Lincoln's Journey to Emancipation" is a national exhibit capturing President Abraham Lincoln's efforts to keep the country together during the Civil War.The Cranberry Township Public Library, 2525 Rochester Road, was one of 63 libraries nationwide to receive the exhibit that will be on display until Sept. 19.Here's a list of the remaining programs taking place. To register, which is required, call 724-776-9100.• Thursday — "John McClary's War: Antietam to Petersburg," 7 p.m. in the Storytime Room. Bob Galbraith of the Greater Pittsburgh Civil War Roundtable discusses life in the 139th Pennsylvania volunteers through the wartime diary of Sgt. John McClary• Aug. 20 — "Underground Railroad in Pennsylvania," 7 p.m. in the senior/teen center. William Switala, retired professor, Duquesne University, will speak on his book and research.• Aug. 23 — "Living History 78th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry Co." Event will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the front lawn of the municipal center. See the uniforms and dress of the period. Watch demonstrations of military maneuvers.• Aug. 28 — "Belle Boyd: Confederate Spy," 7 p.m. in the senior/teen center. Susan Thomas of the Greater Pittsburgh Civil War Roundtable will portray a mature Belle returning to talk of her experiences as a young woman obtaining information from Union soldiers and conveying it to Confederate generals.• Sept. 3 — "Role of the Brass Band during the Civil War," 7 p.m. in the council chambers. Ted Cramer, Cranberry Township resident and member of the Wildcat Regiment Band, will model a Union soldier's uniform and bring a restored tuba from that era.• Sept. 6 — "Civil War Footlocker," 11 a.m. in the council chambers. Registration is required. Museum artifacts from Soldiers & Sailors National Military Museum will be on display.• Sept. 6 — "Kids Day," 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the children's room. Games and children's activities are planned.• Sept. 10 — "Lincoln as an Effective Politician," 7 p.m. in the council chambers. Professor Van Beck Hall of the University of Pittsburgh will speak.• Sept. 11 — "Pittsburgh During the Civil War," 7 p.m. in the storytime room. Author Arthur Fox will speak about his books.• Sept. 15 — "Works of Robert Knox Sneden," 7 p.m. in the council chambers. Bob Gorczyca, member of the Greater Pittsburgh Civil War Roundtable, will show a slide presentation of this Union Army mapmaker and painter with commentary.
