In the Presence of Lincoln
Plymouth, Michigan—Just in time to celebrate Abraham Lincoln’s 200th birthday on February 12, the Plymouth (Michigan) Historical Museum will be showcasing original furniture from Lincoln’s Springfield, Illinois, home in its upcoming exhibit, “In the Presence of Lincoln.” The exhibit opens January 21 and runs through November 4, 2009. The four furniture pieces—two rockers, a claw-foot table, and a mantle clock, all on loan from The Henry Ford in Dearborn—have not been available for public display in many years. Shortly before Lincoln left Springfield for his inauguration in 1861, he held a furniture auction. A number of the pieces were purchased by Harry Wilton, a Lincoln acquaintance and Springfield neighbor. In 1930, the Wilton family sold many of the pieces to Henry Ford while he was gathering historic items for Greenfield Village. After a lengthy application process, The Henry Ford approved the request from the Plymouth Historical Museum to borrow the furniture to enhance its already remarkable collection.
While the furniture is the highlight of the exhibit, the Museum will also have on display original historic ephemera associated with Lincoln that were loaned by the William L. Clements Library of the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. The Museum’s own voluminous Weldon Petz Lincoln Collection will enhance displays throughout the "Main Street" exhibits, as well as in the permanent Petz Lincoln Collection area. The permanent collection’s displays have recently been refreshed with new signage and a more historic interpretation. Items of note from the Petz Lincoln Collection include:
• Artifacts from Lincoln's youth
• A rare book belonging to Lincoln as a boy
• Rare family genealogy and photographs
• Handwritten legal documents and law books
• Life mask of Lincoln made in 1860
• A lock of Lincoln's hair
• Artifacts relating to Lincoln’s assassination
The Plymouth Historical Museum is located at 155 S. Main Street just north of downtown Plymouth, Michigan. Hours are Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, 1–4 p.m. Admission prices are still only $5 for an individual, $2 for students 6–17, and $10 for families. Tour groups can be accommodated, but please call in advance. For more information, call 734-455-8940 or visit www.plymouthhistory.org. The exhibit is made possible through generous sponsorship from Hines-Park Lincoln Mercury, as well as donations from Citizens Bank and the McLaren Family.
