200 years of Lincoln

Even on his 200th birthday, Abraham Lincoln is fresh in the minds of Hoosiers.

While the country celebrates the bicentennial of a beloved president, the day takes on a special meaning for Indiana residents.

Despite Illinois’ claim as the “Land of Lincoln,” three states could arguably claim a part of this title. Lincoln was born in Kentucky and moved to Spencer County, Ind., when he was 7 years old. He spent 14 formative years there before leaving for Illinois.

“Indiana needs to reclaim him,” said IU history professor James Madison. “Lincoln was a Hoosier.”

There are not many details about Lincoln’s time in Indiana. However, Lincoln’s experiences as a Hoosier helped establish his belief system and character, Madison said.

Living in Indiana, he learned who he did not want to be when he grew up: his father.

The un-cultivated wilderness, lack of continuous education and agrarian lifestyle Lincoln experienced on his father’s Indiana farm helped him envision a different future. He believed in schools, railroads and colleges.

“His policies, his notion and his vision was the antithesis of his years in Indiana,” Madison said. “His time here served as a negative role model.”

Throughout his childhood, Lincoln also ventured outside Indiana and witnessed the horrors of slavery, Madison said. When he was 19 years old, Lincoln built a flatboat and floated down the river to New Orleans.

“He saw slavery and slave markets,” Madison said. “And we know his adult life and politics are based on a complete abhorrence of slavery.”

Across Indiana events are taking place to commemorate the life of the 16th president of the United States, and IU is no exception.

The newest exhibit at the Lilly Library features Lincoln memorabilia, including a peek into Lincoln’s life in Indiana. While the official opening of the exhibit, billed as a birthday celebration for Lincoln, is today from 4 to 6 p.m., Becky Cape, head of reference and public services, said a steady stream of people have already been viewing the exhibit.

“Remembering Lincoln” features a variety of books, art, photographs and documents highlighting Lincoln’s life and illustrating the way Americans remember him.

Cape said one of the most interesting items on display is a page from Lincoln’s math workbook. Only three to five pages still exist, and one of them is in the Lilly Library.

While most of the collection is from the Joseph Benjamin Oakleaf Collection of Lincolniana, the Lilly Library has a permanent Lincoln room modeled after what the White House looked like during the Lincoln presidency. A bronze bust of the former president and a desk used in Lincoln’s Springfield, Ill., law office are year-round fixtures.

Students are also involved in event planning. The newly formed club ABE at IU has been hosting several Lincoln-themed events for the bicentennial. The club started in November with only two students and has since grown, said ABE at IU president Aasiya Mirza.

“Growing up you know (Lincoln) as one person who created the U.S., and you know what he looked like, but maybe there isn’t as much about his life or all of his achievements,” Mirza said. “I just think he is an incredible inspiration and he had so many different subjects of interest.”

In addition to planning celebratory events like a birthday party and a Lincoln-Douglas debate competition, the club also meets to discuss or present a wide variety of Lincoln-related topics. Mirza said she thinks the club will live on after the bicentennial celebration ends.

“He is back in our minds as this incredible idea of what the perfection of a president could be,” Mirza said. “We should question him and look at him in light of Obama.”

While nationwide bicentennial planning has been underway for two years, the election and inauguration of President Barack Obama has only added to the hype surrounding Lincoln’s birthday.

In addition to Obama using the Lincoln Bible on Inauguration Day, Madison said there are several similarities between the two presidents. Lincoln served one term in the U.S. House of Representatives while Obama served one term in the U.S. Senate.

Both were relatively unknown politicians and were attacked for similar reasons. They mastered the English language, wrote and delivered eloquent speeches and were powerful storytellers.

So far 2009 has been what Madison calls “a perfect storm” for Lincoln. His 200th birthday coupled with an inauguration using the Lincoln Bible has pushed this presidency back into the spotlight. And, while many Lincoln enthusiasts constantly have him on their mind, Madison encouraged students to take another look at the president. After all, he was a Hoosier.

“Give Lincoln a chance,” Madison said. “Come back to him and re-read the Gettysburg Address. This is the real thing and as good as it’s gotten, and while Lincoln wasn’t perfect, he’s what we want.”