The Kentucky Historical Society (KHS) recently acquired several significant Lincoln artifacts. On Thursday, February 12, the bicentennial of Abraham Lincoln’s birth, visitors of the Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History in Frankfort will be able to view the items. A display case featuring these newly acquired pieces will be installed in Kentucky’s signature bicentennial exhibition, Beyond the Log Cabin: Kentucky’s Abraham Lincoln.

A pair of Mary Todd Lincoln’s earrings, a January 1863 letter written and signed by President Lincoln to Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton discussing the parole of two Kentuckians, a collection of pre-Civil War wills and manumissions from Kentucky, and two letters written in 1864 by an Ohio soldier discussing life at Camp Nelson, Kentucky are among the recently acquired artifacts that will be displayed.

“We are incredibly excited about these new additions to our collection,” said KHS Assistant Director Marilyn Zoidis. “These artifacts will enable us to tell a more complete story of Abraham Lincoln and his lifelong relationship with Kentucky.”

In order to tell the story of Kentucky and Kentuckians, KHS staff continually strives to expand the society’s collection. Each of the newly acquired items will aid KHS in presenting the Lincoln story—his family, the times in which he lived, and the issues surrounding the making of one of our greatest presidents. These items provide a lasting legacy of the Abraham Lincoln bicentennial for the people of the Commonwealth.

The display case featuring the recent acquisitions and the Lincoln exhibition will be on display in Frankfort until June 6, 2009. Beyond the Log Cabin will travel to The Speed Art Museum in Louisville in late June 2009 and then be displayed at the Highlands Museum & Discovery Center in Ashland in October 2009.

Come celebrate Lincoln’s 200th birthday with KHS!

• February 12, Lincoln’s 200th birthday: The Kentucky General Assembly will be invited to honor Lincoln with a joint session at the Old State Capitol in Frankfort. After the session, legislators and special guests are invited to attend a reception featuring the Kentucky State University Gospel Choir at the Center.

• February 14, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Children and families are invited to put on stovepipe hats and join KHS and Clifford the Big Red Dog in celebrating Abe’s 200th birthday at the Center on Family Fun Day. A free event, children will be able to learn a period dance, try crafts and games from Lincoln’s era, enjoy birthday cake, and have their picture taken with Clifford, a special guest who shares values with Abraham Lincoln. They can also explore Beyond the Log Cabin, and watch live KHS Museum Theatre productions.

• February 16: KHS will host Michael Burlingame, a noted Lincoln scholar and historian, who will discuss Lincoln’s life and significance. Burlingame, who has edited or authored twelve books investigating the life and times of Lincoln, will come to Frankfort as a second stop on his book tour for his most recent work, Abraham Lincoln: A Life.

The Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial, a national commemoration, began in February 2008 and closes on February 12, 2010. Communities, historic sites, libraries, and schools across the Commonwealth have planned events and activities for the commemorative period.

For more information about the recent Lincoln acquisitions or KHS’s February Lincoln events, visit www.history.ky.gov or call 502-564-1792.

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.