This famous haunting, cracked photograph of Lincoln taken by Alexander Gardner in 1865 after four years of the Civil War, highlights the careworn, furrowed face of the wartime president. "After the assassination,” says curator Ward, "this image became an icon in the deification of the martyred president.” National Portrait Gallery.
:For admirers of Abraham Lincoln, all roads lead to the US capital starting this month. It was here that the unschooled politician from the Western frontier guided the nation through its greatest crisis, preserved the union, freed the slaves — and was assassinated. It is fitting, therefore, that a number of museums in the city have organized special exhibitions to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the birth of the Great Emancipator.
Leading the way is the National Museum of American History (NMAH) — dramatically transformed by a two-year renovation — with a comprehensive exhibition, "Abraham Lincoln: An Extraordinary Life," that will be on view through 2011. This interesting, revelatory show features more than 60 objects associated with Lincoln's life, plus more than 50 portraits, photographs and cartoons. The useful accompanying book is written by the exhibition's curator, Harry Rubenstein, chair of the museum's division of politics and reform.
Through objects and wall texts, visitors can explore Lincoln's early life (a gold pocket watch from his days as a Springfield, Ill., lawyer); his presidential campaign (a Lincoln-Hamlin campaign banner); experiences in the White House (his black suit and Mrs Lincoln's purple dress); and the Civil War, including issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation (the inkstand on which it was drafted), his murder (the eight prison hoods of the conspirators) and the national mourning that followed (Mrs Lincoln's mourning watch).
Other notable objects include an iron wedge and a rail split by Lincoln in Salem, Ill., in the 1820s–1830s, his patent model for lifting boats over shoals in shallow waters and two plaster casts of Lincoln's face and hands.
The contents of Lincoln's pockets the night he was assassinated, including two pairs of spectacles, a pocketknife, billfold and handkerchief, are exhibited in "With Malice Toward None” at the Library of Congress, part of its trove of Lincolnania. Library of Congress.
Insights into Lincoln the man conveyed by the exhibition reflect curator Rubenstein's effort to "present a more personal and intimate look at Lincoln…." In his book by the same title, Rubenstein suggests that more than any other American, Lincoln's life was intertwined with the nation's history and culture and has inspired others to believe in America's promise of opportunity; his success in saving the Union and abolishing slavery are among the nation's greatest achievements, and his death is an American tragedy.
"An Extraordinary Life" is accompanied by another exhibition, "America's New Birth of Freedom: Documents from the Abraham Lincoln Library and Museum," on display until March 22. Organized by the Lincoln Library and Museum in Springfield, Ill., it is highlighted by a signed copy of the Emancipation Proclamation and by letters that reveal Lincoln's views on emancipation and deployment of black troops and his unwavering demands for peace.
The importance of the Emancipation Proclamation to Lincoln's legacy is stressed throughout these exhibitions. The National Archives has a special showing of the original, signed proclamation, February 12–16.
Issued as the Civil War approached its third year, the proclamation declared the freedom of all slaves in the Confederate states and fundamentally altered the nature of the conflict. Its issuance clarified and strengthened the position of the Union government, decreased the likelihood of European support of the Confederacy and eventually brought freedom to slaves in the South. The proclamation invited African Americans to join the Union Army and Navy, resulting in the enlistment of about 200,000 blacks.
