February 06, 2009
Bowling
Green, Ky. - Feb. 12, 2009, marks the 200th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s birth and Western Kentucky University’s History Department and the Center for the Civil War in the West will celebrate in conjunction with Black History Month by presenting a day of special programs and events.
These events feature three recognized WKU historians who specialize in 19th century America, Civil War and Reconstruction, race relations and civil rights and liberties.
“Our purpose is both to celebrate Lincoln's life and to commemorate the ongoing struggle we face to fulfill his vision of human liberty and dignity,” said Dr. Robert Dietle, head of WKU’s History Department.
The events, which are free and open to the public, include a panel discussion, lecture and film.
At 10 a.m. in the Kentucky Room of the Kentucky Library, Professors Marion Lucas, Glenn LaFantasie and Patricia Minter will discuss “Lincoln and the African-American Experience.”
Then at 3 p.m. at the WKU Faculty House, LaFantasie will present a lecture on “My Lincoln.” At 7 p.m. at the Faculty House, the John Ford movie classic “Young Mr. Lincoln” will be shown followed by a group discussion.
The WKU Lincoln celebration continues on Feb. 17 when WKU’s 2008-2009 Cultural Enhancement Series presents “Richard Norton Smith: Our Lincoln” at 7:30 p.m. at the Capitol Arts Theatre in downtown Bowling Green.
Presidential historian Richard Norton Smith is a familiar face to viewers of C-SPAN, The News Hour with Jim Lehrer, and ABC News. He has served as a director of five presidential libraries including the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield, Ill. The author of five major books, he is a recipient of the Kennedy School’s Goldsmith Prize and has been a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize. Smith’s lecture is free and open to the public.
On March 18, the Kentucky Repertory Theatre will present “One Man’s Lincoln” at the Capitol Arts Theatre at 7:30 p.m. This one-man production about Abraham Lincoln is from the viewpoint of his law partner in Springfield, Ill. Billy Herndon presents a spellbinding monologue of the “evidence” on Lincoln as if he were in court.
Outspoken and controversial, he attempts to decipher Lincoln’s greatness and complexity, while offering a compelling look at his humanity. “One Man’s Lincoln” is an official activity of the Kentucky Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission. Sponsored by WKU’s Potter College of Arts & Letters and the Capitol Arts Theatre Alliance, the event is free and open to the public.
For more information on the Feb. 12 History Department Series, contact the WKU Department of History at (270) 745-3841. For information on the Cultural Enhancement Series and KRT production, contact Mina Doerner at (270) 745-5204.
More WKU news is available at www.wku.edu and at http://wkunews.wordpress.com/. If you’d like to receive WKU news via e-mail, send a message to WKUNews@wku.edu.
For information, contact Sally Ray at (270) 745-2283.
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