Happy birthday, Mr. Lincoln

With all the recent news coverage, pretty much everyone knows that today is the 200th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s birth. As you would imagine the Smithsonian, and especially our museum, houses a wealth of artifacts, primary source documents, and images relating to our 16th president.

As part of the Smithsonian’s efforts to make its collections and scholarship more accessible online, the Center for Education and Museum Studies held an Online Education Conference on Lincoln February 4 and 5. If you missed it, don’t worry, the whole thing has been archived and you can view it anytime. Each participating Smithsonian museum has a special page within the virtual conference site that links you to all of their Lincoln-related content. Resources from the National Museum of American History include an image gallery of objects and quotes, downloadable activities designed for kindergarten to fourth grade children, and a handout from curator Shannon Thomas Perich’s presentation entitled “Public and Private Photography During the Civil War.” You can find these resources and more here. This is the first time the Smithsonian has presented an online conference, so please post to the conference’s discussion boards and let us know what you think!

If you are a teacher, homeschooling parent, or afterschool care provider you might want to check out Smithsonian’s History Explorer, our new education Web site. There are lots of K-12 activities and ideas relating to Abraham Lincoln and other American history topics.

How will you be teaching about Abraham Lincoln this year? We’d love to know.

Carrie Kotcho is the education technologist at the National Museum of American History.

Comments

[John Daniel]

Thank you for posting this information. I've been looking for some Lincoln information and links.

I have always been a big fan of Lincoln and I've been rereading his biographies recently. The swearing in of the first African-American President and the 200th anniversary of Lincoln's birth have re-awakened my interest in Civil War era history.

I'm planning to visit Washington and the Smithsonian this summer with my family. I think it will do us all good to remember President Lincoln and what he did for this country.

[Des Moines Iowa Photographer]

I love that picture, it reminds me of our nation's history and what we overcame.

[MJ]

I'm a huge fan of Abe Lincoln. A lot of his childhood heritage is here in Southern Indiana. I have studied much of his life and civil war career. Good Post.

[Jonathan Kenryo]

I'm a big fan of Abraham. He made a big contribution to America. Happy birthday Mr. Lincoln

[D]

The swearing in of the first African-American President and the 200th anniversary of Lincoln's birth have re-awakened my interest in Civil War era history.

[Acai]

It's hard to believe that it was only 200 years ago when the birth on Lincoln took place. It really makes you realize just how young our country really is...

[Neil]

The leadership qualities and administrative values of Lincoln remain as fresh even after 200 years. As a student of history I have read a lot about him and he continues to be my all time top politician and hero.

[Online Schools]

Thank you for making these treasured items available online, I love the Smithsonian institute, but I live in Utah and am only able to visit when time and finances permit. So, thanks again...

[Homeschooling High School]

Thank you for the link to the Smithsonian History Explorer. I will share it with my newsletter subscribers. It looks great.

[Francoise Thurnreiter]

Thank you for this interesting article. I teach my son at home and need any support that I can get online. And so I also use Smithsonian History Explorer. Thank you!

[Gradinita Cresa]

Aside from his incredible achievements as President, Lincoln was a wonderful example of someone that would not give up. I am always finding interesting stories about Lincoln, and I am always amazed. The book Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill has some interesting insight.