The Lincoln Bicentennial Commission

Last week’s highly successful Legacies of Lincoln conference at the Law School, co-sponsored by the History Department, generated much praise and many compliments from both participants and the audience.  For those unable to attend as well as those hungering for more insights about Lincoln, please visit the Law School’s website or consider attending the program described below.

On Saturday, October 10, 2009, the Wisconsin Lincoln Bicentennial Commission will commemorate the Bicentennial of Abraham Lincoln’s birth as well as the 150th anniversary of Lincoln’s speech at the Wisconsin State Fair in Milwaukee on September 30, 1859. The keynote speaker for the event will be Orville Vernon Burton, emeritus professor of history at the University of Illinois and Burroughs Distinguished Professor of Southern History and Culture at Coastal Carolina University.  His most recent book is The Age of Lincoln.  

The Program will be held in Memorial Hall at the Milwaukee War Memorial Center from 11 am to 12:30 pm.  Members of Wisconsin’s 1st Brigade Band will perform Civil War period music beginning at 10:30 am. 

A plaque commemorating President Lincoln’s 1859 address in Milwaukee will be presented for installation at the Lincoln statue in the Milwaukee War Memorial Center plaza.  Mayor Tom Barrett and County Executive Scott Walker will also make brief remarks.  

Although access to downtown will be somewhat limited by Al’s Run, which will close a number of downtown streets and exits,  the Commission has arranged routes with city officials and reserved parking in the O’Donnell Park parking structure at 910 E. Michigan Street.  For best results please follow the directions posted below:

For directions to O’Donnell Park go to http://warmemorialcenter.org/news/images/BicentenialParking.jpg.  

For printable dashboard sign, go to http://warmemorialcenter.org/news/images/BicentennialSign.jpg.
(Note:  Dashboard sign should be used to help you proceed through the street closures)

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