Lincoln Events at Knox College

In conjunction with the Galesburg's Lincoln Bicentennial Commission, Knox College is planning events to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Lincoln-Douglas Debate at Knox and the 200th anniversary of Lincoln's birth.

September 11, 2008, 8:10 p.m.
"Lincoln and Douglas at Galesburg - The Great Debate"
A co-production of Knox College and WTVP, the program featuring the scholars of the Lincoln Studies Center at Knox College will be shown on WTVP-47, the PBS affiliate in Peoria, Illinois. More info...

September 16, 2008, 7 p.m.
Civil War Roundtable / Galesburg Public Library
"The Assassination of Abraham Lincoln and the Manhunt for His Killer," slide-lecture by George Hopkins, professor emeritus of history at Western Illinois University. Free admission.
Galesburg Public Library, 40 E. Simmons, Galesburg.

October 2-5, 2008
Exhibit - Abraham Lincoln: Self-Made in America
"Abraham Lincoln: Self-Made in America," a mobile museum exhibit developed by the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield, Illinois, will stop at Sandburg Mall in Galesburg on October 2-5, 2008. The exhibit will be open free to the public Thursday through Saturday 10 a.m.-7 p.m., and Sunday 12-5 p.m. Housed in a 53-foot-long trailer, the exhibit uses interactive graphics, facsimile documents and artifacts to commemorate the Lincoln Bicentennial. More info...

October 4, 2008, 2 p.m.
Lincoln-Douglas Reunion Tour '08
In an updated presentation of the key issues from the Lincoln-Douglas Debates, actors portraying Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas re-enact excerpts of the seven debates, including the one at Knox College's Old Main, the only remaining original debate site building. Free performance.
Old Main, Knox College

October 7, 2008
Sesquicentennial of the Fifth Lincoln-Douglas Debate
Old Main at Knox College. Events TBA. More about the Galesburg Debate in the podcast series The Real Issue - The Real Debates.

October 9, 2008, 6:30 p.m.
Galesburg Public Library Book Club
Discussion of "The Madness of Mary Lincoln," by Jason Emerson, co-sponsored by the Galesburg Public Library
Kaldi's Coffeehouse, 124 E. Simmons, Galesburg

October 11, 2008
23rd Annual Lincoln Colloquium
A private event hosted by the Lincoln Studies Center at Knox College and featuring talks by leading Lincoln scholars. More info...

October 13 & 20, 2008, 6 p.m.
Galesburg Public Library Film
Film based on Gore Vidal's book on Abraham Lincoln. Part 1 of the film will be shown Oct 13, part 2 on October 20.
Second Floor, Galesburg Public Library, 40 E. Simmons, Galesburg

October 13, 2008, 6:30 p.m.
Class: "Abraham Lincoln and the Eighth Judicial Circuit
Taught by Guy Fraker, this one-day class will cover  Lincoln's formative years as an attorney who "rode the circuit" through central Illinois. Includes Lincoln's role in each town, the cases he handled, the associations he made, and the related histories of these counties. Cost $12. Minimum of 15 students and maximum of 40. To register, call 309 344 1631.
Educational Technology Center at Sandburg Mall.

October 14, 2008, 1 p.m.
Galesburg Public Library Book Club
Discussion of the book "Stealing Lincoln's Body," by Thomas J. Craughwell
2nd Floor, Galesburg Public Library, 40 E. Simmons, Galesburg

October 15, 2008
Train Excursion: "Quincy, The Sixth Debate"
A week after the Galesburg debate, Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas met in Quincy for the sixth of their debates. This all-day train ride  departs from Galesburg and travels to Quincy. Activities in Quincy include lunch; a talk by Gary DeClue, professor at John Wood Community College and expert on Stephen Douglas; visit to Washington Park, Woodland Cemetery and an Underground Railroad site. Limit of 23. Cost $85. Departs Galesburg Amtrak Station at 9:30 a.m., returns at 7 p.m.
To register, call the Carl Sandburg College Educational Technology Center, 309 344 1631.

October 18, 2008, 7:30 p.m.
Knox Galesburg Symphony Concert
Bruce Polay conducts the KGS in Aaron Copland's "Lincoln Portrait," Morton Gould's "American Salute," and other selections inspired by the Civil War. Featuring guest narrator Harry Bulkeley and guest violinist Feliz Parra. Tickets available at the door.
Orpheum Theatre, 57 S. Kellogg, Galesburg
More about the KGS

February 12, 2009
Abraham Lincoln's Birthday
200th Birthday Celebration: Events TBA

June 6, 2009
Knox College Commencement
Event details TBA

Above, three views of the Lincoln-Douglas Debate Site at Old Main, Knox College, including the Looking for Lincoln wayside exhibit.