Add to your New Year’s resolutions a visit to the Lone Star College-CyFair Branch Library and see Lincoln: The Constitution and the Civil War traveling exhibition on display Dec. 28, 2011 through Feb. 17, 2012.
“We are pleased to be one of 200 libraries nationwide, and one of eight in Texas, to host this exhibition,” said Mick Stafford, Harris County Public Library LSC-CyFair Branch Director of Library and Information Services.
This traveling exhibition for libraries examines the crises of secession, slavery and civil liberties which President Abraham Lincoln encountered during the Civil War as well as Lincoln’s use of the Constitution to transform the meaning of freedom in America.
“Community members and college staff and students alike have a great opportunity to explore this important period in American history,” said Stafford. “We’re excited to have several college staff and community guest speakers address many aspects of the exhibition’s content with a variety of activities through mid-February.”
Among the highlights of related library programs are two author presentations and a presidential birthday party.
First, join Kenneth J. Winkle, Sorensen Professor of American History at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, for his “Lincoln’s Citadel: The Civil War in Washington D.C.” evening presentation Wednesday, Jan. 25. Winkle is also author of “Abraham and Mary Lincoln”, “The Young Eagle: The Rise of Abraham Lincoln”, “The Oxford Atlas of the Civil War” and “The Politics of Community: Migration and Politics in Antebellum Ohio.”
Then bring the family for the “Lincoln Tells a Joke” book discussion and book signing with award-winning children’s author Kathleen Krull set Tuesday, Jan. 31.
And, of course, all are welcome Sunday, Feb. 12 for “Happy Birthday, Mr. President” to enjoy coffee and cake in celebration of Lincoln’s birthday. Bring a camera, too, for a photo op with “Honest Abe.”
Several community guests will join LSC-CyFair staff and faculty to host a lecture and discussion series that begins Friday, Dec. 30 with “Can the President Rest in Peace? The Long, Strange History of Abraham Lincoln’s Body.” Among the guest hosts are professors from Prairie View A&M University, Rice University, South Texas College of Law and The University of Texas at Austin School of Law as well as U.S. Court of Appeals Judge Edith Jones and Friends of Emancipation Park President Dorris Ellis.
On the schedule in January is a discussion of Breena Clarke’s book “Stand the Storm” Wednesday, Jan. 11 and several lecture and discussion topics including “Abraham Lincoln and the Road to the Emancipation Proclamation” Wednesday, Jan. 18; and “Why Lincoln Matters” Friday, Jan. 20.
February features more lecture and discussion topics including “History of Juneteenth Celebration and Houston Emancipation Park” Wednesday, Feb. 1; “Lincoln, First Imperial President?” Friday, Feb. 3; “African-American Writers: Readings on Freedom” Monday, Feb. 6; “Lincoln’s Dilemma: Civil Liberties and Constitutional Crisis” Tuesday, Feb. 7; “In Defense of My Native State: Why Texans Fought in the Civil War” Thursday, Feb. 9; “Can the President Rest in Peace?” and “Mary Todd Lincoln: America’s Most Controversial First Lady” Monday, Feb. 13; and “Lincoln, Lincoln, I’ve Been Thinkin’” Wednesday, Feb. 15.
Lincoln: The Constitution and the Civil War was organized by the National Constitution Center and the American Library Association Public Programs Office. The traveling exhibition, made possible by a major grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities, is based on an exhibition of the same name developed by the National Constitution Center. Local funding for programs is provided by the LSC-CyFair Branch Friends of the Library.
The traveling exhibition is on display in the library, which is located on the LSC-CyFair campus at 9191 Baker Cypress. For information, call 281.290.5276 and for a schedule of events go to LoneStar.edu/library/Lincoln.
About Lincoln: The Constitution and the Civil War
This traveling exhibition is organized by the National Constitution Center and the American Library Association Public Programs Office. Lincoln: The Constitution and the Civil War is made possible by a major grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities and is based on an exhibition of the same name developed by the National Constitution Center. Local funding for programs is provided by the LSC-CyFair Branch Friends of the Library.