Groups discover the life of the nation’s 16th president through immersive exhibits at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum
“Scholarship and showmanship.” Two words that describe Abraham Lincoln as well as the world-class historical center devoted to him. The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum (ALPLM), opened in 2004, houses an unmatched collection of Lincoln-related artifacts, along with a comprehensive assembly of Illinois history.
The Treasures Gallery is home to a rotating assortment of items related to the Lincolns’ lives, including family photographs, intricate dishware and priceless crystal. In the Union Theater, groups are surrounded by layered digital projection screens that immerse them in the film “Lincoln’s Eyes,” a dramatic telling of the hope, vision, sorrow and resolve of Abraham Lincoln.
Children get a hands-on experience in Mrs. Lincoln’s Attic. They can try on traditional clothing from Lincoln’s time, including his suit, his wife Mary’s dress or the uniform of a Civil War soldier. The Ghosts of the Library presentation introduces groups to Lincoln, his life and his family through the unique use of Holavision. This holographic technology allows “ghosts” to interact with real-life actors to tell tales from the past.
While the permanent exhibits and shows continue to draw visitors from across the country, the ALPLM also welcomes acclaimed temporary collections that encourage people to return again and again. A recent favorite to visit the museum was Spies, Traitors, Saboteurs: Fear and Freedom in America – a critically acclaimed, national touring exhibit from the International Spy Museum. Spies, Traitors, Saboteurs revealed nine major events in history when Americans were threatened by enemies within United States borders. It depicted how the government and the public responded, highlighting the evolution of U.S. counterintelligence and homeland security efforts, as well as examining the challenge of securing our nation without compromising the civil liberties upon which it was founded. This exhibit is just one example of the many popular temporary collections that have graced the ALPLM through the years.
There is so much to see and do at the ALPLM, groups will have more than enough to keep them entertained. In fact, organizers may want to add another day to the agenda to allow plenty of time to explore everything the library and museum has to offer.
Groups interested in visiting the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum can contact the Springfield Convention and Visitors’ Bureau. The team will help reserve a group trip and provide useful information to organizers to help them make the most of their visit.
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