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Abe Fest
July 11, 2009
 

Families celebrate Abraham Lincoln’s 200th birthday at the Postal Museum fun activities and a letter reading presentation.

Though many people are familiar with Abe’s life story, the festival interpreted his life from a whole new angle—postal history and philately. Visitors voted on their favorite Lincoln stamp, wrote presidential letters and telegraphs, and designed their own Abe stamps. They also enjoyed spotting the differences between Union and Confederate postage stamps and drawing birthday cakes with (approx.) 200 candles.

A moving presentation of Civil War letters was a big hit. Presented by the Civil War Preservation Trust and the Postal Museum, “The Odyssey of a Civil War Soldier” featured never-before-published letters between a 19-year-old Union soldier and his family. Throughout the course of the war, the soldier’s opinion of Lincoln evolves from mild dislike to real admiration. The letters were read aloud by Matthew Gross, an intern at the National Museum of American History and a student at Gettysburg College, and Katherine Stinson, a student at the University of Mary Washington. Researcher Bob Plumb narrated the story and provided background information.

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Nicole Osier of the Civil War Preservation Trust shared resources with visitors.

Nicole Osier of the Civil War Preservation Trust shared resources with visitors. The organization partnered with the Postal Museum to present Abe Fest 2009. Find out more about the fascinating work of the Civil War Preservation Trust at www.civilwar.org

Kids settle in for some presidential correspondence, trying out pens from Lincoln’s era. The little girl’s letter starts out 'Hi Obama.'

Kids settle in for some presidential correspondence, trying out pens from Lincoln’s era. The little girl’s letter starts out “Hi Obama.”

Drawing birthday cakes for Abraham Lincoln

Drawing birthday cakes for Abraham Lincoln is fun but it’s really hard to fit the 200 candles!
Kids 'engrave' stamps using scratchboard. The 2009 Lincoln stamps were engraved in a similar manner.

Kids “engrave” stamps using scratchboard. The 2009 Lincoln stamps were engraved in a similar manner.

A moving presentation of Civil War letters was a big hit; presented by the Civil War Preservation Trust and the Postal Museum

A moving presentation of Civil War letters was a big hit. Presented by the Civil War Preservation Trust and the Postal Museum, 'The Odyssey of a Civil War Soldier' featured never-before-published letters between a 19-year-old Union soldier and his family. Throughout the course of the war, the soldier’s opinion of Lincoln evolves from mild dislike to real admiration. The letters were read aloud by Matthew Gross, an intern at the National Museum of American History and a student at Gettysburg College, and Katherine Stinson, a student at the University of Mary Washington. Researcher Bob Plumb narrated the story and provided background information.

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