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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
