Lincoln & History

Dr. Gina Lathan is the President of the Route History Museum in Springfield, Ill. She spoke to Community Voices about the many stories shared at the museum including those from African-American business owners and travelers along Route 66. The museum also features an exhibit on Green Book, the book written by Victor Hugo Green which shared safe locations for Black travelers to visit while traveling through parts of America.

Chuck Davis, managing partner at Brown, Hay + Stephens law firm. The business is nearly 200 years old and includes Abraham Lincoln as one of the attorneys who practiced there. Davis discusses the history of the firm and the career of law today.

Olivia Partlow, director, Lincoln Heritage Museum shares what the Lincoln, Illinois museum offers including its current 9-11 special exhibit and the Hawes family letters that provide a window to life at and away from battle during the Civil War.

NPR's Leila Fadel talks to directors Jacqueline Olive and Barak Goodman about the Apple TV+ docuseries, Lincoln's Dilemma, and how the fight for emancipation was larger than one man.

As Lincoln's birthday approaches, we hear from the author of a new book examining the relationships and acquaintances that eventually led to emancipation. Some of those occurred here in Illinois, before Lincoln ever stepped foot in the White House.We also bring you a conversation with the new U.S. Attorney for the Central District of Illinois. He's the first Black individual to hold that office. Those stories and more on this week's Statewide.

Michael Burlingame, professor of History and Naomi B. Lynn Distinguished Chair in Lincoln Studies at the University of Illinois Springfield follows up his book on Mary Todd Lincoln and her marriage with Abraham, An American Marriage, with this book looking as how Lincoln's relationships with African-Americans influenced his racial views, The Black Man's President.

Christina M. Shutt joined the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum as the executive director of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum (ALPLM) earlier in 2021. She spoke with Community Voices about her career and being the first person of color to lead the ALPLM.

Abraham Lincoln's use of the founding principles of the U.S. to support equal rights is part of the discussion of the 2020 UIS Beaumont Endowed UIS Lincoln Legacy Lecture. Revisiting last year's presentation in preparation for the October 16, 2021 event on Lincoln & Anti-Racism.

NPR's Lulu Garcia-Navarro speaks to Paul Farber, co-director of the National Monument Audit, about the report's findings on monuments in the United States.

Phil Funkenbusch recently retired from the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum after working many years working as the show director. Funkenbusch has a long history working in theatre, having worked in New York City before making his move back to Central Illinois. He spoke with Community Voices about his career and what he's doing now that he is retired.