Monday, July 16, 2012

Calvert Library Lincoln Exhibit Update (press release)

Link to photos.  (To access higher resolution photos, click on the photo, then right click on the resultant photo, choose the size you would like to use—large perhaps—and then you can download that size when the picture comes up.)

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Contact:  Robyn Truslow

410-535-0291

 

It was almost as if by entering the doors at Calvert Library Prince Frederick you entered a time machine.  A contingent of the Federal City Brass Band were milling around answering questions about their uniforms and a man who must have been Lincoln, albeit a few inches shorter than history records, offered smiles and handshakes.

Saturday marked the opening weekend of events to draw people to the library to view the traveling exhibit Lincoln:  The Constitution and the Civil War which will only be here until August 24.   The National Constitution Center and the American Library Association Public Programs Office organized the exhibit with the help of a major grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH): Great Ideas Brought to Life.   The events at the library were funded by a similar grant as well as Friends of Calvert Library and the Maryland Humanities Council. 

            If you missed the opening weekend, there will be plenty to see this weekend as well.  Library Director Patricia Hofmann had this to say about the upcoming events, “The Lincoln exhibit team has pulled together an impressive array of scholarship, entertainment and education for all ages.  The enthusiasm of the community and the library’s partners has really paid off in the way of excellent opportunities for Calvert County to learn about Lincoln, the Constitution and the Civil War.” 

The Orphan Brigade, Camp 2166-Sons of Confederate Veterans will be set up on the green space between the library and Panera over the weekend and will have their tents, guns, a cook fire and more.  They arrive for setup throughout the day on Friday and will be available to visit all day Saturday. 

            The library is also hosting several nationally-known Lincoln scholars throughout the day.  Chief Justice Frank Williams (Rhode Island-retired) will talk about local figure Chief Justice Taney and his relationship to Lincoln and the Civil War.   President Lincoln made some controversial decisions including authorizing the suspension of habeas corpus on the rail lines from Washington to Philadelphia. While Lincoln wanted Maryland to remain in the Union, arbitrary arrests and detention of suspected disloyalists upset many Marylanders who called him a tyrant, despot and vandal. The arrest and imprisonment of John Merryman set the stage for a major battle between the President and Chief Justice Taney, a Calvert County native.  Justice Williams will tell that story and his book Judging Lincoln will be available for sale and signing.

            Following Williams’ presentation, Bradley Gottfried will present “President Lincoln and his Role as Commander-in-Chief.”  Gottfried is author of numerous books about the Civil war whose just released book, Maps of Antietam, is receiving rave reviews and will be available for sale and signing.  President Lincoln’s strong hand in military decisions, many of which were controversial, is still frequently debated and discussed by historians.  Join the conversation!

            After a break for lunch, rejoin the symposium with Harold Holzer, one of the country’s leading authorities on Lincoln.  His presentation is entitled “Emancipating Lincoln:  How the Great Emancipator Led—and Misled—America to Freedom.”  Exactly 150 years ago, Lincoln unleashed a complex, often confusing, and much discussed-since public relations and political campaign to prepare the country for his Emancipation Proclamation.  Holzer’s new book, Emancipating Lincoln will be available for sale and signing.  The author will recall what Lincoln said, refused to say, whom he told, and whom he excluded, in the furious run-up to America’s second Declaration of Independence.

            The day of Lincoln scholars will wrap up with Craig Symonds presenting “Lincoln, His Navy and the Civil War.”  Symonds expertise on the Civil War and the Navy has resulted in numerous books including Lincoln and His Admirals which will be available for sale and signing at this event.  In addition to many awards for his books, Symonds has also received awards for his teaching and research.  He currently is Professor Emeritus at the US Naval Academy in Annapolis.

            The Lincoln lessons do not end after Saturday.  Check the library website to see the schedule for a Kids Learn About Lincoln series, living history performances of Frederick Douglass and Clara Barton, genealogy workshop, compare and contrast discussion of Presidents Lincoln and Obama, screening and discussion of Lost River about Anna Ella Carroll, and the story of John Wilkes Booth as presented by historian and author of American Brutus, Michael Kauffman.

For more information about the complete schedule of events over the six weeks of the exhibit go to http://calvert.lib.md.us/lincoln.html  or call Robyn Truslow at 410-535-0291.

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Robyn Truslow

Public Relations Coordinator

Calvert Library

850 Costley Way

Prince Frederick, MD  20678

phone:  410-535-0291 or 301-855-1862

fax:  410-535-3022

rtruslow@somd.lib.md.us

Friday, July 6, 2012

Calvert Idol Winners (press release)

Calvert Library was filled with song recently when the library and Garrett Music Academy hosted Calvert’s Next Idol 2012.  The talent was rampant in every category and the winners were Bailey Brittain in the 9-11 age bracket, Sarah Baker in the 12-14, and Jordin Dearinger for the 15-17.  Also pictured are judges Jennifer Armstrong, Tom Dahrens, host Nick Garrett and judge Jerry McGaughran plus sponsor Heavenly Chicken & Ribs co-owner Gary Armstrong.

 

Link to photo http://www.flickr.com/photos/calvertlibrary/7456111448/

 

Or if you prefer one of just the young people http://www.flickr.com/photos/calvertlibrary/7456111774/in/photostream/

 

 

Robyn Truslow

Public Relations Coordinator

Calvert Library

850 Costley Way

Prince Frederick, MD  20678

phone:  410-535-0291 or 301-855-1862

fax:  410-535-3022

rtruslow@somd.lib.md.us

Calvert Library to be Overrun with Confederate Soldiers (press release)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Contact:  Robyn Truslow

410-535-0291

 

            Calvert County will soon be overrun with Confederate soldiers!  With the Calvert Library exhibit Lincoln:  The Constitution and the Civil War beginning on Thursday, July 12 and running through August 24, Calvert County can expect to experience many facets of this time period.  The Opening Weekend on Saturday, July 14 will bring the Federal City Brass Band in full uniform with period instruments to perform music of the time as well as share a historical narrative.  The library will also host the man many people describe as “Abraham Lincoln reincarnated,” Jim Getty.  Getty is frequently the face and voice of Lincoln and is the nation’s leading Lincoln impersonator.  In the persona of Lincoln, Getty will do two presentations at the library.  The first will be for the younger crowd (ages 5-13) at 11:30am and at 2:00pm he will perform for ages 13 and up answering sophisticated questions about Lincoln’s decisions and life.  He will talk about why he believed in the Constitutionality of his decisions to suspend various civil liberties and be open to questions.  For those interested in really diving into the challenging questions that Lincoln faced, join Dr. Chretien Guidry from the College of Southern Maryland at 3:30pm as he moderates a discussion using the online interactive game Lincoln’s Crossroads.   What would have happened if Lincoln had chosen differently?

            Throughout the day, librarians will have period activities for kids to try out such as creating a yarn doll or a ball-and-cup.  They will also be able to try out some Civil War era games like draughts (checkers), Hide and Seek the hidden object (you are getting warmer, warmer…),  and more.  Interested in finding out what “hard tack” is?  There will be period recipes that kids can take home to try out.

            And of course, there is the exhibit itself.  The National Constitution Center and the American Library Association Public Programs Office organized the exhibit with the help of a major grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH): Great Ideas Brought to Life. The traveling exhibition is based on an exhibition of the same name developed by the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia.  This traveling version explores Lincoln’s struggle to resolve the basic questions that divided Americans at the most perilous moment in the nation’s history: Was the United States truly one nation, or was it a confederacy of sovereign and separate states?  How could a country founded on the belief that “all men are created equal” tolerate slavery?  In a national crisis, would civil liberties be secure?  President Lincoln used the Constitution to confront the secession of Southern states, slavery and wartime civil liberties. Lincoln’s decisions about these three intertwined crises of war reinvented the Constitution and the promise of American life. This exhibition develops a more complete understanding of Abraham Lincoln as president and the Civil War as the nation’s gravest constitutional crisis.

The events hosted during the exhibit are sponsored by Friends of Calvert Library and the Maryland Humanities Council, and supported by American Library Association, Calvert County Economic Development, College of Southern Maryland, Calvert Historical Society, National Archives and Records Administration, Calvert County Board of Education, Surratt House, Jefferson Patterson Parks & Museums, Maryland Public Television, and many dedicated community volunteers.  According to Robyn Truslow, Public Relations Coordinator for Calvert Library, “The enthusiasm we have seen from our partners and from some incredible individuals has been awe-inspiring.  I won’t even try to mention them by name as I will undoubtedly leave someone out who has contributed hours worth of volunteer work!  Suffice it to say, you must honor them with your presence at these events they have put together.  If you miss them, you will be sorely disappointed when you hear the expected raves later.”

For more information about the complete schedule of events over the six weeks of the exhibit go to http://calvert.lib.md.us/lincoln.html  or call Robyn Truslow at 410-535-0291.

###

 

 

 

 

Robyn Truslow

Public Relations Coordinator

Calvert Library

850 Costley Way

Prince Frederick, MD  20678

phone:  410-535-0291 or 301-855-1862

fax:  410-535-3022

rtruslow@somd.lib.md.us