Lincoln Discussion Symposium

It's in the 90's across much of the country this week, so try this to cool off.....

imagine you find yourself walking down a small dirt road in the country. It's early October, to early for the leaves to change color, but there is a slight breeze with the temperature in the middle 60's. The air is fresh and clear, and you can tell fall will soon be here. You notice in the distance a few scattered buildings, small frame log structures. There are a few homes, two stores, a mill, and a few others buildings in this little village. You can hear the chickens, smell the hogs, see a pasture with two cows, and a young man comes out of one of the buildings with a friendly "hello".

He invites you inside what is a small general store. He's a friendly fellow, and a bit of a talker. There is something about him you can't quite identify, the country way of talking, his infectious grin, but you instantly like him. He's quite proud of this little community and the people who live here. After a few minutes of conversation he has you almost convinced you should live here too.

Come join us this September 30-October 1 and visit this little community of New Salem and find out what made it so special to Abraham Lincoln. Learn about the men and women who influenced his character. Some were farmers, teachers, housewives, doctors, businessmen, and a drunk or two. By today's standards, most were poor, struggling to make ends meet. But they worked side by side in this tiny community, helping each other, caring for each other, sharing good times, laughing together, and sometimes grieving together. Here in this tiny village, this handful of people influenced and further shaped the character of one of our great American heroes. Who are these people and what did they do? Travel back in time with us as we explore Lincoln's New Salem and find out.

Less than a month till the Springfield Tour, with a little extra emphasis this year on some of the small cemeteries near New Salem where many of the people are buried who were influential in Lincoln's life. Joe has gathered lots of info on these special people. Since my wife is not overly interested in cemeteries, she may be taking the credit cards on her own special tour of the retail establishments in the area.

The nearby town of Petersburg, where many of the cemeteries are located, is an interesting place in itself. It's full of history. For many years, it used to be a stop over spot during the winter months for a traveling circus. Also lots of nice looking Victorian homes. All this and more.....

September 30-October 1.

(09-06-2016 06:22 PM)Gene C Wrote: [ -> ]Less than a month till the Springfield Tour, with a little extra emphasis this year on some of the small cemeteries near New Salem where many of the people are buried who were influential in Lincoln's life. Joe has gathered lots of info on these special people. Since my wife is not overly interested in cemeteries, she may be taking the credit cards on her own special tour of the retail establishments in the area.

The nearby town of Petersburg, where many of the cemeteries are located, is an interesting place in itself. It's full of history. For many years, it used to be a stop over spot during the winter months for a traveling circus. Also lots of nice looking Victorian homes. All this and more.....

September 30-October 1.

Hi Gene.

Looking forward to catching up with you and Joe in a couple of weeks.

I encourage anyone else who might be interested to come along and join us. I had a great time last year, and its always fun to get together and meet others who love learning about Mr. Lincoln and his life and times.

Less than two weeks to go, and there are only a few rollway cots available at the Ultra Economy Inn, where the motto is "We'll Leave the Bug Light On"
zzzzZZZZ ZAP *

For you historians who like to get the true feel of the past, I noticed a post where there is a lady traveling with three small children who is willing to share space in her bed with another female traveler,
preferably one who doesn't snore. Isn't that nice!

However, for you wimps out there who aren't in to getting the true ambiance of the period, you can still find other accommodations for a slightly higher price.
(I fall into that group)

Speaking of tours... The Surratt Society held its annual fall meeting and election of officers at a beautiful site yesterday on the banks of the Rappahannock River in the Northern Neck of Virginia. Belle Grove Plantation, birthplace of James Madison, had also fallen on hard times such as we discussed in another thread about Mount Vernon and Monticello. Over the past decade or so, it has been restored as one of the most beautiful and gracious bed and breakfast (weddings, tea parties, luncheons, etc.) venues that you can imagine. It is the last vestige of the town of Port Conway (Madison's mother was a Conway). Across the river stands Port Royal.

The site was chosen for the Society's function, however, because of its role in the pursuit of John Wilkes Booth. Fifty members of our group arrived by bus and car at 1:30 pm on a lovely afternoon with a gentle breeze wafting up the banks to our luncheon tents set up on the river front of the mansion. After a tasty repast, a brief business meeting and election of officers followed before the group divided in half for a tour of the restored house. And what a grand tour!

The couple who are now the business owners of the venture have exquisite taste in antiques and buy what they like and what feels appropriate to the various periods of history reflected in the home's past. I had been in the house about thirty years ago when the last private owner was struggling (due to age) to keep the large building maintained. What a difference youth and money - and love - have made. Many pieces throughout the house have a story behind them - including a large sideboard in the dining room that had come down through Chief Justice John Marshall's family. A matching loveseat pair in a sitting room was borrowed for the making of the LINCOLN movie so that Daniel Day Lewis and Sally Field could sit together as Mr. and Mrs. Lincoln.

The house also has ghost stories and six comfortable guest rooms for bed and breakfast customers. The history that the Surratt Society was interested in pertains to the 16th New York Cavalry's pursuit of John Wilkes Booth in April of 1865. The troopers rested on the grounds, and Col. Everton Conger (a veteran of the war who had been badly wounded three times) came into the house and rested in the hallway before continuing the chase, which ended just hours later when Booth was cornered at the Garrett farm, about five miles up the road.

Good friends, good supporters, good food, good day, good ambience, good history. Just what this world needs a little more of.

(09-19-2016 10:54 AM)Gene C Wrote: [ -> ]Less than two weeks to go, and there are only a few rollway cots available at the Ultra Economy Inn, where the motto is "We'll Leave the Bug Light On"
zzzzZZZZ ZAP *

For you historians who like to get the true feel of the past, I noticed a post where there is a lady traveling with three small children who is willing to share space in her bed with another female traveler,
preferably one who doesn't snore. Isn't that nice!

However, for you wimps out there who aren't in to getting the true ambiance of the period, you can still find other accommodations for a slightly higher price.
(I fall into that group)

I'd go for my self-contained facility...
[attachment=2416]
I'd also be fine with the period version:
[attachment=2415]

Just for Eva, there is a nice campground right next to the Lincoln New Salem Park. http://www.lincolnsnewsalem.com/

I stayed there once about 15 years ago with a Boy Scouts group. I remember because there was still some snow on the ground and the temperature was so cold
(how cold was it? - It was so cold, that the kids carrying security blankets were no longer considered strange)

It was so cold they had to turn the water off because they were worried the pipes might freeze. I think it made it down to the lower teens that night. Fortunately the water and the heat was on in the bathroom of the New Salem Park Museum, but didn't open until 9AM
Eva, I'd suggest your self contained facility....

(09-19-2016 03:16 PM)Gene C Wrote: [ -> ]Just for Eva, there is a nice campground right next to the Lincoln New Salem Park. http://www.lincolnsnewsalem.com/

I stayed there once about 15 years ago with a Boy Scouts group. I remember because there was still some snow on the ground and the temperature was so cold
(how cold was it? - It was so cold, that the kids carrying security blankets were no longer considered strange)

It was so cold they had to turn the water off because they were worried the pipes might freeze. I think it made it down to the lower teens that night. Fortunately the water and the heat was on in the bathroom of the New Salem Park Museum, but didn't open until 9AM
Eva, I'd suggest your self contained facility....

Travel south instead of west and you would be more comfortable on the grounds of Belle Grove (see my post above) or even the hallway (like Col. Conger was offered). Or spring for a reasonable room and breakfast in the morning. A glorious old place...

(09-19-2016 03:16 PM)Gene C Wrote: [ -> ]Just for Eva, there is a nice campground right next to the Lincoln New Salem Park. http://www.lincolnsnewsalem.com/

I stayed there once about 15 years ago with a Boy Scouts group. I remember because there was still some snow on the ground and the temperature was so cold
(how cold was it? - It was so cold, that the kids carrying security blankets were no longer considered strange)

It was so cold they had to turn the water off because they were worried the pipes might freeze. I think it made it down to the lower teens that night. Fortunately the water and the heat was on in the bathroom of the New Salem Park Museum, but didn't open until 9AM
Eva, I'd suggest your self contained facility....

Whatever the accommodation - no way I'd travel anywhere snowy. Anything below 70 doesn't agree with me....otherwise New Salem camping sounds good.

(09-19-2016 05:23 PM)Eva Elisabeth Wrote: [ -> ]Whatever the accommodation - no way I'd travel anywhere snowy. Anything below 70 doesn't agree with me....otherwise New Salem camping sounds good.

That was in winter. Spring & early fall are much nicer.
Despite the cold weather, it was fun. It's an interesting place.

The weather forecast looks good with highs in the mid 70's, lows in the upper 50's, with a 10-30% chance of rain that weekend.
Not to late to make a last minute reservation and join us.
That's Fri & Sat, Sept 30 - Oct 1.

I hope you all have a wonderful time. As it turns out, I have been scheduled for cataract surgery on Oct. 3rd, so it's probably best that I decided not to come this year.

(09-21-2016 07:28 PM)ELCore Wrote: [ -> ]I hope you all have a wonderful time.

I second Lane and hope some photos can be posted! Please tell the folks at the Cozy Dog Drive In that we all send good wishes.

Work has begun on the Lincoln-Herndon Law Office:

http://www.sj-r.com/news/20160920/exteri...aw-offices

Thanks Roger.
Next week we will give you our unvarnished opinion on how it looks.