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 Posted: Mon Aug 25th, 2008 09:45 pm
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amhistoryguy
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Hey Folks, Don't pass within a days drive of this one without stopping in. A MUST see. It's not just a museum, but an experience. I've witnessed kids as well as adults who did not especially care to be there do a 180 and love it. Those who have been there, go back, and still marvel at the Lincoln part of the museum while also enjoying the rotating exhibit (currently, presidential campaign relics). I can't say enough about it, so I won't say anything more than it's a winner.

Regards, Dave Gorski

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 Posted: Tue Aug 26th, 2008 02:34 pm
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Albert Sailhorst
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I have to agree, the mueseum was incredible.

While I am not a "Lincoln Lover", per se, I must admit that I was humbled and awed at everything I saw. It is virtually indescribable, because of the feelings it conjurs up in one's heart to see Abe visiting his sick son, while Mrs. Lincoln carries on with a party.....we know the boy will die, we are omniscient; whereas the caring father, staring at his son by candlelight, can only mutter a prayer of hope and feel a lump in his throat while the boy lay ill......

This mueseum is not an average muesuem. "If you've seen one, you've seen'em all" does not do justice to these exhibits.....

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 Posted: Tue Aug 26th, 2008 08:28 pm
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Albert Sailhorst
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Hey Bama, regarding the Ghost In the Library....I saw it twice and couldn't figure out if the actor was a hologram from beginning to end, or just at the end......

THAT was really cool!!

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 Posted: Tue Aug 26th, 2008 09:46 pm
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Albert Sailhorst
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Bama,  The only thing that, I think, would improve the experience of the museum, would be to "pipe" in the fragrance of flowers where the casket lies in State.

Actually, I thought the "Ghost" thing did an excellent job in explaining to novices why studying history is important, and that history is full of real people, just like the "ghost" was once a real person and has a story to tell.

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 Posted: Wed Aug 27th, 2008 02:36 am
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ole
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Albert:
Actually asked that question last weekend and was informed that the actor is indeed real. There are two of them and they take turns doing the twice-daily performance. (Don't know if one does one day and the other does the other, or if they divide up the week.)

Adding fragrance to the catafalque room would be much too spooky. I didn't stay in that room very long as it was. And I could watch the "Civil War in 4 Minutes" all day long.

The place is awesome without a hint of Disney theatrics.

ole

Last edited on Wed Aug 27th, 2008 02:37 am by ole

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 Posted: Wed Aug 27th, 2008 07:02 pm
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Albert Sailhorst
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Ole,

Very well said!!

Thanks for the info on the "ghost"!

Yeah, the funeral room was pretty realistic, very mournful, indeed!

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 Posted: Wed Aug 27th, 2008 10:05 pm
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Albert Sailhorst
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Bama,

Here's my objective, I think, perception of the museum:

1) There were historical artifacts diplayed and explained

2) The history of Lincoln's life was portrayed from youth till death via an orderly organization of exhibits featuring wax figures and details of his life, both intimate and public/political

3) The breif "Ghost"presentation was artistically done so as to show the importance of artifacts, what the artifacts can tell us, and how history is really a story of people and how their actions chrated the course of history.

I can understand your "Disney" perception because of the "smoke and mirrors" show that one could label the "Ghost" presentation; however, for the general public, I think it was better than showing a 12 minute movie......

How is my perception of reality altered based on various cues?

What are the cues and how do they alter my perception?

I want history to be alive for my 6 year old son in order to generate an interest for him.....I think wax figures brought that to life more for him than by reading an index card taped next to an artifact. That's why I want him to reenact (and he does, and he enjoys it!) so that he can "live" the sting of battle, no matter how "fake" it may be...I thought the museum brought history to life for people who go there to visit, with little background in history.

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 Posted: Thu Aug 28th, 2008 04:24 am
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susansweet
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I was with the group this week end at the Lincoln Museum in Springfield.  I grew up with Disneyland just a few miles away.  I saw the Disney touch in ways that were positive as no one can do that better.  I loved the Ghosts presentation.  I also liked the Eyes of Lincoln .  I thought the figures and scenes were a different way to present the history. 

 

I saw many artifacts on display.  IThe room with all the personal items was amazing.  Seeing the kid gloves Lincoln carried with him to Fords Theatre almost made me cry . I loved that but I also loved the board that had all the photos which were also displayed on the wall.  Touch the screen and it told you who the person was .  

I sat though the Battle Map about three times. Would have stayed there longer if there hadn't been so much to see.  I also loved the Changing exhibit room . 

The gift shop was very well done also.  I found several books on the Lincoln Family I can't wait to dig into . 

I just can't say enough positive about this museum

Susan

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 Posted: Thu Aug 28th, 2008 01:34 pm
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Albert Sailhorst
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Bama, I had forgotten about the "Eyes of Lincoln" movie.....That didn't impress me too much, I have to admit. Being in an artillery reenacting unit, the "cannons" didn't impress me much......

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 Posted: Thu Aug 28th, 2008 04:03 pm
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Susan, Tom and I were there a couple of weeks before you, and the things you talked about are what stands out to me.  I would love to go back again.

We both really enjoyed it.

nita

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 Posted: Thu Aug 28th, 2008 04:39 pm
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susansweet
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Nita,  I would go back again anytime I was in Springfield.  Two of the members of the group live close enough they have been eight times and still enjoyed the visit this time.  They like to keep up on the changing exhibit room. 

Susan

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 Posted: Fri Jun 5th, 2009 06:46 pm
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Old North State
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I also like the AL Presidential Museum in Springfield. My favorite exhibit is the Cabinet meeting as Lincoln announces the emancipation proclamation to them. I was startled by the "wax figure" seated at the desk when he moved!

Recently I stopped at the Civil War museum in Bardstown, KY. While not as sophisticated as the Lincoln museum, it exhibits a rather amazing collection of civil war artifacts focused on the Western Theater. Apparently it benefits from the combined collections of two or more men who were serious collectors, hence the quality of many of the items. I'd certainly recommend seeing it when visiting the KY battlefields.

There is also a special section (in a separate building) displaying items related to women in the Civil War. This section is not rich in artifacts, but does a rather good job of interpreting the various roles that women played by using informative plaques on the war and reproductions of photos, etc.



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