"Abraham Lincoln: Self-made in America" Coming to Canandaigua

An Exhibition at the Ontario County Historical Museum
February 12 – March 11, 2010

A rare traveling exhibit featuring reproduction artifacts from the Abraham Lincoln
Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield, Illinois will be in Canandaigua, NY,
February 12 – March 11, 2010. The exhibit will be presented in only 40 locations during a
nationwide celebration of the 200th anniversary of Lincoln’s birth and is free of charge.
The Ontario County Historical Museum is the only venue in Western New York chosen
for display. The Ontario County Historical Society, the exhibit’s host will also offer a
number of Lincoln and Civil War related events starting February 13. Please join us in a
celebration of the life and times of our 16th president.

“Abraham Lincoln: Self-Made in America” was created to commemorate the 200th
anniversary of the birth of America’s greatest president by the Abraham Lincoln
Presidential Library and Museum. The “We, the People” program of the National
Endowment for the Humanities, a federal agency, provided major financial support for
the exhibition and accompanying programs. The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library
Foundation and the History Channel provided additional financial and in-kind support.
The exhibit covers Lincoln’s childhood, his self-education, his careers as a surveyor and
lawyer, his family life, the Lincoln-Douglas Debates, the 1860 Presidential election, the
Civil War, the 13th Amendment, the Emancipation Proclamation, his assassination, and
other important periods and events in his life. The reproduction artifacts on display, all
modeled from originals in the Presidential Library and Museum, include: Lincoln’s
favorite books; his son Tad’s toy cannon; the nameplate from his Springfield home; his
stovepipe hat, which he used like a briefcase to hold important papers; a Presidential
campaign banner; an axe that Lincoln used to chop wood; the bloody gloves found in
Lincoln’s pocket the night of his assassination; and many other unique and interesting
items.

A companion exhibit, Self Made in Western New York, presenting the success stories of 19th
century personalities from the region will also be open at the museum during the Lincoln exhibit.
Sponsorship Opportunities Available, call 585 394-4975.