Springfield – Any person who has lived in the Springfield area knows Abraham Lincoln is the focal point for a number of attractions and celebrations in the community. On May 1 to 3, that belief was put on display, as thousands gathered to witness the funeral reenactment of Springfield’s greatest celebrity.
This year marked the 150th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s death.
On April 14, 1865, Lincoln, accompanied by his wife, Mary Todd, decided to watch the show, “Our American Cousin,” at Ford’s theatre. During the play, well-known actor John Wilkes Booth snuck into the 16th President’s viewing box, and shot the beloved leader in the back of the head.
Abraham Lincoln died early in the morning on April 15, after hours of trying to revive the 16the president.
Everyone knows Abraham Lincoln’s assassination story, but very few people know of the funeral procession that followed.
This weekend was a tremendous and worthy nod to the former President of the United States of America.
Kids and adults were able to find something to pique their interests. From the re-enactment, to the train that carried Mr. Lincoln home, to the civil war replicas.
Everyone had something to enjoy.
Current Illinois Governor addressed the crowd at the event
“His (Lincoln’s) legacy has withstood the test of 150 years and our love for him has only grown stronger,” Rauner said.
Many historical buildings were open for viewing, as thousands scrambled through to learn more about the Great Emancipator.
The celebration included hundreds of re-enactors dressed as civil war soldiers and women dressed in 1800s clothing.
For one spectator, the combination of “present day” people and the re-enactors was exhilarating.
“It’s like something you see in a movie,” said local native, Ethan Morrisey. “You kind of begin to question what era you are in when you sit down and talk to one of these actors. One guy wouldn’t even tell me his real name when I asked him.”
The commitment to each character was astounding.
When you walked down to the restored Union Station, you could not help but be taken back in time. Over twenty re-enactors were sitting in the seats, anticipating their fallen President to come home.
“When they removed the casket out of the train, you couldn’t help but feel like you were actually there,” Morrisey said. “I hated history in school, but to actually see how everything unfolded back then with this funeral is absolutely awesome.”
Many people in Springfield grew up going toall of the museums and exhibits about Abraham Lincoln. Theconsequence is sometimes, the appreciation that a man does becomes overlooked or minimalized. However, with this reenactment, something fresh re-sparked the interest of many people.
“It was just something new,” Morrisey said. “Something I’ve never seen before,”
Lincoln’s work on the abolishment of slavery still remains as one of the greatest accomplishments in American history. To this day, Lincoln still has an influence on people. Whether it be human rights or inspiring others to pursue their dreams.
“I think it is so neat to see Springfield celebrate the life and legacy of Lincoln,” said Nicole Barks, an urban youth worker. “Through his work, he opened up doors and minds to the possibility of a socially renewed nation. Spurring a nation who claims freedom, into a nation that continues to act in the cause of freedom.
“Though today we still have the social struggles between rich and poor, between able and disabled, between black and white, between all that separates people from people, Lincoln was one of the active voices in challenging us to embrace freedom for all.”
Regardless of how many times people have heard Lincoln’s story, or have told the story to their friends and family, Abraham Lincoln did, and continues to capture the hearts of everyone, young and old.
The city of Springfield did a tremendous job of organizing and executing this weekend-long celebration. There could not have been a more worthy way of thanking/honoring Springfield, Illinois’ greatest hero.
Tyler Allison can be reached at [email protected] or (217) 786-2311.
