Many people know that Abraham Lincoln was born in Kentucky and spent the first seven years of his life in the commonwealth. Few, however, realize how connected Lincoln remained to Kentucky throughout his life. Now, during the bicentennial commemoration of Lincoln’s birth, the Kentucky Historical Society (KHS) Museum Theatre program explores the complex relationship between Lincoln and his native state in the play Lincoln’s Life Through Kentucky Eyes.

On Monday, October 20, the Museum Theatre program debuted its newest piece, Lincoln’s Life, at the Abraham Lincoln Society gala. The twenty-minute performance was met with great acclaim by audience members.

“Presenting history in a play is a tricky business, but this short play examines the truth—both good and bad—of Abraham Lincoln’s Kentucky connections,” said Greg Hardison, Museum Theatre coordinator. “Our goal is for the audience to experience a flood of emotions and hear direct quotes from Kentuckians who both loved and loathed Abraham Lincoln. The research, writing, direction, projected backdrops, and ensemble cast all work in unison to create a unique and truthful look at Lincoln’s life through Kentucky eyes.”

Actors Laura Blake, Robert O’Bryan Greene, Patti Heying, and Adam Luckey portray the many faces of Lincoln and twelve diverse characters with distinctly different views of the sixteenth president. Together, they narrate the story of Abraham Lincoln, the boy, the man, and the president who led the United States through its most divisive years.

Written by actress and writer Donna E. Ison, of Lexington, Ky., Lincoln’s Life serves as the perfect complement to Beyond the Log Cabin: Kentucky’s Abraham Lincoln, a new exhibition at KHS, in telling the story of Lincoln and his native state.

The play will be presented every Saturday in November at 1:30 and 3:30 p.m., and then again on Saturdays in February. Make sure to schedule a time to visit the KHS and view this moving performance.

Since 1998, the Museum Theatre program has staged more than forty original productions often inspired by the rich resources in the KHS collections. Each play is presented within the KHS galleries and is designed to connect audiences with the sights, sounds, and stories of the past. These professional productions provide museum visitors with a personal perspective of historical characters and encourage them to explore the exhibitions to learn more.

An agency of the Kentucky Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet, the Kentucky Historical Society, since 1836, has provided connections to the past, perspective on the present, and inspiration for the future. KHS operates the Old State Capitol, the Kentucky Military History Museum, and its headquarters, the Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History. Since 1999, the thirty-million-dollar Center has welcomed more than one million visitors. For more information about the Kentucky Historical Society and its programs, visit the Web site at www.history.ky.gov.