When he was sworn in March 4, 1861, as president of the United States, Abraham Lincoln was one of the least understood chief executives in history.
Elected with only 40 percent of the vote, few people knew much about the new president, but that would quickly change with the Civil War and the abolition of slavery.
A new traveling exhibition at the Main Library, “Lincoln: The Constitution and the Civil War,” offers an understanding of how Lincoln used the Constitution to guide the country through the secession of Southern states, slavery and contemporary civil liberties.
The exhibition was organized by the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia and the American Library Association Public Programs Office and made possible by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities.
It consists of five elements that wrap around the third-floor Grand Staircase Atrium, each one offering a glimpse into the man, his deeds and historical events. There also are insights into Lincoln’s presidency, beginning with his inauguration.
For example, the Bible upon which Lincoln placed his left hand when he was sworn in had been hastily purchased by Thomas Carroll, clerk of the U.S. Supreme Court, because Lincoln’s family Bible was packed with other belongings that were on their way to Washington, D.C., from his home in Springfield, Ill.
The exhibit includes historical facts plus reproductions of maps, newspaper articles and political cartoons that document Lincoln’s political history and the events of the time.
Also on display are related documents on loan from the collection of the Karpeles Manuscript Library in Jacksonville.
Lisa Brown Buggs, the library’s community education and enrichment program supervisor, said the exhibit can be experienced in less than 30 minutes. Customers are then encouraged to take advantage of resources and programs the library offers to extend their knowledge and understanding of Lincoln and his legacy.
“I learned a lot from the exhibition,” she said.
On selected Fridays during the exhibition, the library will offer a lecture series, “Lunch with Lincoln.”
Buggs said presenters will include Matthew Corrigan, a professor of political science and public administration at the University of North Florida, who will discuss the political aspects of Lincoln’s presidency, and local historian Keith Holland, who will talk about the Maple Leaf, a Civil War steamboat sunk in the St. Johns River near Mandarin.
Also planned are a teen debate and scavenger hunt and a children’s trivia game.
The library has prepared a recommended reading list that complements the exhibition.
“The reading list is available online with a direct link to our catalog,” said Buggs.
“Lincoln: The Constitution and the Civil War” will be displayed through Feb. 17. To view the entire schedule of activities related to the exhibition, visit www.jpl.coj.net. All library programs are free and open to the public.
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