Exhibit has rare artifacts
PITTSBURGH — "Lincoln: The Constitution and the Civil War and Lincoln Slept Here" is a collaborative exhibition created by the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia and the Senator John Heinz History Center.
Showing now at the History Center, the exhibition details how Lincoln's momentous struggle to save the Union transformed our nation, the Constitution and himself.
The focus is on several key struggles that Lincoln dealt with during his presidency, including secession, civil liberties and slavery, while examining Lincoln's success in saving the nation. During this time, Lincoln struggled to maintain his family, his sense of humor, and his health.
Visitors can get an up-close-and-personal look at key Lincoln artifacts, including:
• Rare original copies of the Emancipation Proclamation and the 13th Amendment;
• Printed copies of Lincoln's first and second inaugural addresses;
• Lincoln's bed and bedroom set from Pittsburgh's Monongahela House hotel;
• Life masks and rare photos documenting the toll of the Civil War and his presidency;
• Lincoln's well-worn writing desk, complete with the president's scribbles;
• A handwritten note to Secretary of War (and former Pittsburgh attorney) Edwin Stanton on the status of "colored troops;"
• A rare presidential campaign button featuring Lincoln and vice presidential candidate Hannibal Hamlin; and
• Lincoln's famous top hat.
A wide variety of interactive stations allow visitors to:• Experience a fast-paced video showing America on the brink of war that will help visitors understand Lincoln's world changing decisions;• Stand alongside Lincoln and hear his first inaugural address from 1861;• Decide whether or not to vote for Lincoln in the 1864 presidential election as part of an interactive computer polling station; and• Look inside a recreated jail cell and decide the fate of prisoners based on their crime.The History Center has augmented the exhibition with Lincoln's bed and bedroom set from the Monongahela House, the downtown Pittsburgh hotel that hosted the president-elect on Feb. 14, 1861, en route to his inauguration, as well as displays that explore a variety of Lincoln's personal characteristics.The recreated Monongahela House bedroom set includes a number of items from the Lincoln room, including his bed, wardrobe, bureau, dressing mirror, marble-top parlor table, chairs, wash stand and chamber pot from the historic hotel.Using these recently rediscovered Lincoln items, the History Center will explore his visit to Pittsburgh on the eve of the Civil War and the details of Lincoln's pre-inauguration speech that was intended to soothe the public's growing fear over a possible war.The exhibit also includes images of Lincoln's other beds. "Lincoln Slept Here" documents Lincoln's birth bed from Hodgenville, Ky., and his White House bed, along with his bed from the Wills House in Gettysburg and his death bed from the Petersen House in Washington, D.C.Among the key characteristics that will be explored in the exhibit are Lincoln's sense of humor, physical appearance, role as a family man, and his legacy after death.The exhibit continues through January.History Center hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, except holidays.Admission is $10 for adults, $9 for senior citizens age 62 and older, $5 for students with ID and for children 4 to 17, and free for children 3 and younger. Call 412-454-6000.
