Smathers exhibit examines Lincoln, Civil War

January 23, 2012

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The George A. Smathers Libraries will host a major national traveling exhibit, “Lincoln, the Constitution and the Civil War,” on the third floor of Library West from Feb. 1 to March 7.

Developed by the National Constitutional Center and the American Library Association, this new exhibit focuses on President Abraham Lincoln’s struggle to meet the political and constitutional challenges posed by the Civil War.

Visitors to the exhibit will walk through a series of nine museum-style panels with photographic images of Lincoln, significant historical documents, and prints and photos depicting the era of the Civil War.

An additional exhibit, “Civil War Legacies: A UF Exhibit to Accompany Lincoln, The Constitution, and the Civil War,” featuring UF’s special collections materials on Lincoln and the Civil War, will be in the Special Collections Gallery in Smathers Library, second floor. This exhibit offers perspectives on Lincoln as portrayed in children’s literature, propaganda directed against the president and a study of the Gettysburg Address. Other displays examine Florida’s reasons for seceding from the Union in 1861 and show examples of letters, images and memorabilia from the Civil War in Florida.

Special events will include faculty presentations and the screening of such films as “Glory” and “Young Mr. Lincoln.”

From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 13 at the Plaza of the Americas will be a celebration of Lincoln’s birthday, complete with a Civil War encampment, readings of the Emancipation Proclamation at noon and Gettysburg Address at 1 p.m. with Lincoln interpreter Lew Wegal. Cake and refreshments will be provided.

Complete event schedule and more information can be found at http://guides.uflib.ufl.edu/lincoln.

This exhibit was obtained with the help of local supporters, including the Alachua County Library District, City of Gainesville Division of Parks and Recreation, The Matheson Museum and the department of history at UF.