LINCOLN DOUGLAS COMMUNITIES COMMEMORATE THE SESQUICENTENNIAL OF THE LINCOLN DOUGLAS DEBATES

From August to October of 1858 Lincoln and Douglas met in seven different cities scattered throughout the state of Illinois to participate in a series of formal political debates that framed the issues which were of critical importance in the conflict over slavery and states' rights. The year 2008 marks the Sesquicentennial of the Lincoln Douglas Debates in Illinois and the communities where the debates took place are planning to commemorate this important occurrence with a series of events throughout the year called "Reunion Tour 2008."

Starting on August 22 in Ottawa, Illinois, and ending on October 19 in Alton, Lincoln and Douglas will meet in each debate community, on a weekend closest to the actual debate, to reminisce, share their recollections and discuss some of the important issues that were at the heart of the contest. An accompanying naval officer will moderate the discussion and invite local press and audience members to ask questions of the candidates. The "Reunion Tour 2008" will be the core of a weekend long celebration in each community. Plans vary in each location. Activities include parades, period balls, historic festivals, art shows, picnics and even a tour of historic sites on a Segway.

Lincoln and Douglas will also make appearances in Bement, Illinois, and at the Old State Capitol in Springfield. The official grand opening for the Sesquicentennial will begin in Bement, Illinois, on July 26, 2008. Bement is believed to be the place where Lincoln and Douglas met to arrange final details for the debates. While Springfield was not formally designated as a debate site, Lincoln gave the "House Divided Speech" in the Old State Capitol on June 16. It was this speech, given during the Republican Convention that marked the beginning of the dialogue and helped to define the issues that were central to the seven debates. Events marking this crucial speech will be held at the Old State Capitol on June 14-16 2008.

Lincoln and Douglas will be portrayed by two actors who have spent a significant amount of time preparing for these roles. George Buss will play Abraham Lincoln and Tim Connor will play Stephen A. Douglas. Silas Terry, the accompanying naval aid, will be played by Ed Finch. He will introduce Lincoln and Douglas and serve as moderator for the press conference.

George Buss has been portraying Abraham Lincoln for over fifteen years. Performance venues include Ford's Theater in Washington, DC and Gettysburg. He also portrayed Lincoln in two of the seven broadcasts of the C-Span Lincoln Douglas Debates. He is president of the Stephen Douglas Association and vice-president of the Lincoln Douglas Society. Buss is the District Director for AVID in the Freeport Public Schools and a doctoral candidate at National-Louis University.

Tim Connors is the director of theatre and head coach of the Speech Team at Freeport High School in Freeport, Illinois. With a B.S. in communications and an M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction from Northern Illinois University, he is active in theatrical and educational activities throughout his community. Connors has also portrayed Franklin Delano Roosevelt in several programs of great speeches from history.

Ed Finch holds a doctorate in history, is a retire teacher and currently serves as president of the Lincoln-Douglas Society.

Springfield, Illinois
Old State Capitol State Historic Site
Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum
House Divided Speech Commemoration
June 14-16, 2008
While Springfield was not formally designated as a debate site, Lincoln gave his famous "House Divided Speech" in the Old State Capitol on June 16, 1858. This speech was the spark that ignited the debates and helped to define the issues central to the seven debates. Because of the importance of this speech, the commemoration of the "House Divided Speech" was chosen as an appropriate first event of the Sesquicentennial year.

Saturday - Writer and historian Dr. Allen Guelzo will speak at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum on his new book titled Lincoln and Douglas: The Debates That Defined America" Guelzo will also participate in a special book signing.

Sunday - The Old State Capitol will be the site of a number of special interpretive events and activities including an opportunity to meet and talk to Mr. Lincoln and Mr. Douglas.

Monday - To commemorate the actual day of the "House Divided Speech", after a public reception, Lincoln and Douglas will engage in an informal dialogue about current issues of the day. Then Dr.Guelzo will turn his attention and focus on Lincoln's famous speech at a special evening event in the House Chambers of the Old State Capitol.

For more information call 217-785-7960 or visit www.oldstatecapitol.org.

Bement, Illinois
Bryant Cottage State Historic Site
Lincoln Douglas Debate Sesquicentennial Grand Opening Event
July 26, 2008
Lincoln and Douglas reportedly met in Bement, Illinois to finalize the details for the seven debates. Although no debate took place here, Bement has been chosen to host the grand opening event of the Sesquicentennial Celebration. Commemorations include a Lincoln Douglas Press Conference, a play called "The Bement Story," a band and chorus concert, Civil War infantry demonstrations and drills, and a torch light parade featuring Lincoln and Douglas.

For more information call 217-678-8184.

Ottawa, Illinois
August 22-23, 2008

Friday - Events begin with the Yarns and Fables Story Telling Festival in Ottawa's Old Town District where numerous storytellers will be sharing tales of Lincoln and Ottawa in the 1850s. Refreshments will be available.

Saturday - Ottawa will host "Reunion Tour ‘08" with two performances at 10 am and 2 pm at Washington Square, the historic debate site. Entertainment will also include a stilt walker, caricatures, period music, carriage rides, a juggler and penny-farthing demonstrations, plus period artisans. The Old Town Farmers Market will offer freshly grown goods and a "Petticoats and Pantaloons Vintage Fashion Show" will be presented at the historic Ottawa Boat Club. The day will end with a costume ball honoring Mr. Lincoln and Mr. Douglas aboard the Spirit of Peoria paddle wheel boat. Contact the Ottawa Visitors Center at 888-688-2924 or visit online at www.experienceottawa.com for more information.

Freeport, Illinois
August 29-September 1, 2008

Friday - Lincoln and Douglas will arrive by steam train. Their arrival will be followed by a torchlight parade and a re-enactment of an abolitionist rally at Silvercreek & Stephenson Railroad Museum. The rally will include Frederick Douglass.

Saturday - Festivities begin in the morning with a parade through downtown Freeport, followed in the afternoon by the dedication of Debate Square and a performance of "Reunion Tour 08" with Lincoln and Douglas. In the evening an 1860 era Grand Ball will be held featuring lively 19th century music by the First Brigade Band. Many dancers will be authentically dressed, but historic dress is not required to join the dance. Dance instruction will be provided.

Sunday - Join Lincoln and Douglas at an 1860 era church service in Krape Park which is also the site for a" Family Day and Art in the Park" that will include juried artists and art-related and historically-based activities for families. Labor Day - Taylor Park will be the site of "The Flavors of Lincoln's Freeport" featuring a variety of ethnic foods and musical entertainment, and of course an opportunity to visit with Lincoln and Douglas. for more information call the Freeport/Stephenson County Convention & Visitors Bureau at 1-800-369-2955 or visit www.stephenson-county-il.org.

Jonesboro, Illinois
September 12-14, 2008

Friday - The day starts when Lincoln and Douglas meet with the local press and school children. The evening ends with a "Dinner with Debaters" at Great Boars of Fire in Anna, Illinois. Reservations at $25 required.

Saturday - Jonesboro will host an all-day community festival on Jonesboro Square featuring period crafts, demonstrations, food, music and games. At 1:30 pm the 19th Century Jonesboro Band will lead a procession to the debate site at Lincoln Memorial Park and the crowds can join Lincoln to "Walk Where Lincoln Walked." The "Reunion Tour 08" press conference with Lincoln and Douglas begins at 2 pm.

Sunday - The weekend ends with an Old Fashioned Picnic in the Park with music. Everyone is encouraged to bring their own basket of food or to purchase from area merchants. Lincoln and Douglas will be there to greet the guests. For more information call 1-800-248-4373 or check www.southernmostillinois.com.

Charleston, Illinois
September 20-21, 2008

Saturday - An all-day festival will take place at the original site of the Lincoln Douglas Debate. Activities include a pancake breakfast, 4K run/walk that follows part of the original parade route taken by the candidates, tours of the Lincoln Douglas Museum, an art fair with traditional 19th century artisans along with modern local artists, period musicians and performers. The senatorial candidates will be available in their respective campaign tents to discuss the important issues of the race until Reunion Tour '08 begins with a grand entrance by the candidates and a presentation for the audience. Vendors will provide a variety of food throughout the day.

Sunday - Events include tours of historic homes and the Downtown Square where Lincoln and Douglas once visited regularly and the Charleston's downtown murals.

Contact the Charleston Tourism Office at 217-348-0430 or visit online at www.charlestontourism.org for more information.

Galesburg October 3-5, 2008

The weekend will include a parade, tours of Old Main at Knox College, original site of the Galesburg debate, visits to the Underground Railroad Visitors' Center and the Annual Scarecrow Festival. Call 309-343-2485 or 800-916-3330 for more information or go to www.visitgalesburg.com.

Quincy, Illinois
October 11-13, 2008

Saturday - A Grand Welcome Celebration will greet Lincoln and Douglas as they arrive at the site of the former Quincy Railroad Depot. Join the welcome rally as the candidates are paraded through town. Events will include a Special Program to dedicate the newly enhanced Lincoln Douglas Debate site in Washington Park.

Sunday - Reunion Tour '08 festivities will take place in Washington Park at the newly renovated debate site. Then join the fun at a Community Contra Dance.

Monday - After spending a day with school children, Lincoln and Douglas will participate in a Farewell Celebration at the Quincy Riverfront.

The three-day weekend will include music, entertainment, food and other special programming. For more information call the Quincy Convention & Visitors Bureau at 1-800-978-4748 or go to www.lincolnDouglasQuincyDebate.com.

Alton, Illinois
October 17-19, 2008

Friday - The kick-off for the Lincoln Douglas Festival begins in the Alton School with visits by Lincoln and Douglas. A local restaurant will offer themed "Dinner with the Lincoln's" featuring authentic Lincoln and Civil War recipes along with special programming.

Saturday - The Debate Festival will cover a nine block area of downtown Alton plus City Hall and the debate site. Activities will include period vendors, a living history tour with re-enactors and docents at 10 different Lincoln and Civil War historic sites. This weekend will also feature the debut of the new Lincoln and Civil War interpretive panels and presentations of Reunion Tour 08. Hayner Public Library is planning Lincoln programming with "Songs of Abraham Lincoln" and a special appearance by Mary Todd's seamstress. Both the library and Alton Museum of History and Art plan special exhibits to interpret Lincoln's many visits to Alton

Sunday - Festival activities continue.

Throughout the weekend, special cruises with Lincoln re-enactors will be available for scenic fall color and historic cruises. The St. Louis Science Center is also tying in Lincoln Segway tours of the historic Lincoln sites in Alton. There will be a cost for the dinner, the cruises and the Segway tours. For more information call 1-800-ALTONIL (258-6645) or visit www.VistitAlton.com/lincoln.

Springfield, Illinois
Old State Capitol State Historic Site
August 16, 2008

Reunion Tour 08 will be presented in the House Chambers of the Old State Capitol as Lincoln and Douglas discuss the relationship between current politics and the issues of 1858.

For more information call 217-785-7960 or visit www.oldstatecapitol.org.

For more information:
Nicky Stratton
Director
Looking for Lincoln Heritage Coalition
#1 Old State Capitol Plaza
Springfield, IL 62701
217-782-6817
nstratton@lookingforlincoln.com

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