Lincoln Forum Symposium and Washington

[Angela]

Roger and Eva have asked me to sum up my most recent travels to Washington as well as the Lincoln Forum in Gettysburg on here and I hope I am posting it in the right place.

First, I would like to state that I am incredibly grateful to all the long time Lincoln enthusiasts who are so incredibly kind and welcoming to such an outsider like me who has so little to contribute but carries so many questions and inquiries with her.

I was able to give a little bit back when I showed the beautiful capital to a young lady from France who is currently attending College in Tucson.
Only 22 years old, she impressed me with her vast knowledge on American History and also managed to set a new record for time spent at the Lincoln Memorial, where – for once – I was the one asking to return to a warmer venue…after two and a half hours in the very early morning hours before 6 AM.

Reaching Gettysburg, I was surprised by the gentlemen who run The Abraham Lincoln Bookshop.
I have recently developed an interest in legal opinions on Lincoln’s actions during his time in office and had asked them for assistance in this matter concerning some original documents.
The material they brought along was simply wonderful.
I took it all home with me, not leaving any of those papers and books out of my sight for even a minute!

As for the Symposium – it was titled “1865: Triumph and Tragedy” and there were quite a few stunning presentations.

The one I will probably remember the most is the one from James B. Conroy on “Lincoln and the Search for Peace at Hampton Roads”.
He had the audience in stitches with a great collection of anecdotes and I remember a hoard of people storming the exit doors afterwards to get his book.
I must admit, that I did not realize what was going on and innocently asked Scott Schroeder, STSLincolnite here, if he thought the book might be available in the bookstore next door.
Scott patiently smiled, pointed to the stampede and replied “Not for long…”

Joinging the race, I DID manage to obtain a copy and have it signed…
Thank you Scott for showing me the ropes!

Another highlight was the presentation from Richard Wightman Fox titled “Lincoln Visits Richmond”.
It was a most heartfelt and thoughtful talk that inspired many late night discussions in the hotel bar and I am really glad that I was able to attend.
I have read his book “Lincoln’s Body” during my spring trip and highly recommend it!

As you all can imagine, James Getty was missed terribly and mentioned continuously during the Symposium as well as the program on the 19th, which had to be moved indoors to the Gettysburg College due to bad weather.
This was only the second time this has ever happened and the way the people in charge managed to organize it on such short notice still has me marvel at their professionalism in those matters.

Jim Getty’s successor, George Buss, treated the Symposium to a rendition of Lincoln’s second inaugural and it had people in tears and deeply moved.
I do not have the appropriate words to describe how beautiful this moment was and how well it was received.

You all CAN look up the service from the 19th, which is on youtube and I am sure you will all agree with me that it was fantastic and no better person could have been chosen to carry on the legacy in Gettysburg. Personally, I cannot wait to experience it again in 2016!

On our final day, David, Scott and me visited a new statue at Gettyburg College and everybody agreed that this particular piece of art is phenomenal. Last year, we were able to view a statue from the same sculptor at the library and while it is a beautiful figure, well, let’s just say, the artist has upped the ante with the sitting Lincoln which was installed in September this year.

We all had a very difficult time parting with it and I am sure it will be featured beautifully in David Wiegers’ upcoming calendar for 2017. And speaking of which – I love the 2016 calendar, not only but also, because it features my month long research on the “lost” statue in Austria.

Leaving Gettysburg, I had one more chance to meet a new friend and her father who are reenactors from PA.
Heather and Brad Dodson, descendants of Captain Frank T. Hobbs, took me on a second tour of the battlefield this year, after I was treated to a magnificent afternoon by Bjorn Skaptason two days earlier, and they not only managed to instill in me a curiosity about the Bucktail Brigade, but also presented me with two spectacular hand drawn maps while telling me about the gallantry and heroic spirit the Bucktails showed at Chambersburg Pike while we were watching the sun set over the Peace Monument.
I will treasure this afternoon for a long time to come!

I hope that the pictures attached to this post make some sense – if not, just let me know and I’ll answer any question that comes up!