Press Releases

Lincoln Brings Educational Opportunities

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
January 26, 2007

Contact: Nancy Coggins, APR
405.235.3313 or 405.760.9053
nc@oklahomacitynationalmemorial.org

LINCOLN EXHIBIT PROVIDES INTERACTIVE EDUCATION OPPORTUNITY
Funding provides student admission for Oklahoma Public Schools

OKLAHOMA CITY – Students visiting the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum can see the struggles of one man determined to hold this nation together through one of America’s most challenging moments, in Lincoln: The Constitution and the Civil War, a special exhibition on loan from the National Constitution Center, February 12 – December 15, 2007.

Lincoln: The Constitution and the Civil War is a 2,500- square-foot exhibition that highlights the three constitutional crises which Lincoln faced as President: Secession, Slavery and Civil Liberties during the Civil War. The exhibition explores how one individual, who was deeply committed to the belief that citizens can make a real difference, exercised leadership at a pivotal time of crisis for the nation, the Constitution, and the course of freedom worldwide. This engaging exhibit presents the story of Lincoln and the Constitution in a fresh and compelling way that appeals to everyone from families to Civil War buffs and history scholars.

A teacher’s guide, designed for middle and high school educators, is available at no cost to educators bringing their students to see the exhibit. Lesson plans, including pre-visit, on-site and post visit activities, focus on the major themes of the exhibition and meet national standards as well as Oklahoma PASS objectives. A glossary of terms, a detailed Civil War timeline, an 1861 map and a picture gallery of people who appear in the exhibition are also included.

Nationally renowned Lincoln actor Fritz Klein, who has appeared on C-SPAN, the Discovery Channel, History Channel and major networks as Abraham Lincoln, will be at the Memorial Museum to open the exhibit on February 12, which is also Lincoln’s 198^th birthday. Klein will recite some of Lincoln’s most famous speeches as well as give insight into the personality of Lincoln for students and visitors to the Memorial Museum February 12–14 and April 18-22.

An educator preview of the exhibit is set for February 20, 2007. Funding, made possible through the generosity of the Sarkeys Foundation, is available to assist with student admission for all Oklahoma public schools.

Lincoln: The Constitution and the Civil War features more than 100 images, historical documents and artifacts incorporated into a variety of innovative and interactive exhibit formats. In addition, Lincoln’s voice – in the form of excerpts from his writings and speeches – enables visitors to hear first-hand his thoughts and views on issues such as equality, slavery, freedom, democracy, justice and the Constitution’s rule of law.

The exhibition is organized into six main exhibit areas: Secession Winter, Oath of Office, Crisis of Secession, Crisis of Slavery, Crisis of Civil Liberties, and Lincoln’s Legacy: The Gettysburg Address In His Time and Ours.

Through the exhibit’s media and interactive elements, visitors will be able to stand alongside Lincoln as he is sworn in as President, view Civil War military conflicts and Lincoln portraits through a replicated 1860s box camera, play a genuine 1862 board game called “The Secession Game,” use clues to solve an electronic jigsaw puzzle, experience a replicated jail cell for citizens arrested for dissent or disloyalty, and more.

“Lincoln stood at the brink of this nation’s greatest struggle, and through his belief in personal responsibility and opportunity for all, he led the country to a place of greater equality and an understanding of the contributions of all Americans,” said Kari F. Watkins, Oklahoma City National Memorial Executive Director. “His battle to move the nation closer to the Declaration of Independence’s promises of freedom and equality is reflective of our mission to teach tolerance and diversity, as well as effecting positive change in government through non-violent means.”

Lincoln: The Constitution and the Civil War is sponsored by Astra Foundation, Barnett Family Foundation, Bezalel Foundation, Chesapeake Energy Corporation, Cox Communications, Devon Energy Corporation, Inasmuch Foundation, Mr. and Mrs. Aubrey K. McClendon, Merrick Foundation, The Oklahoma Bar Foundation, Oklahoma Centennial Commission, Oklahoma Farmers Union, Oklahoma Press Association, The Oklahoma Publishing Company, The Oklahoman, Sarkeys Foundation and Wal-Mart and SAM’S CLUB.

Admission to this special exhibit is free with general Memorial Museum admission. School group admission to the Memorial Museum is $4 for students. One chaperone per 10 students is admitted free of charge. Additional chaperones are $6 per person. Memorial Museum hours are Monday – Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Ticket sales end daily at 5 p.m. Please call 405.235.3313 or register online to reserve group times and programs.

The Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum was created to honor “those who were killed, those who survived and those changed forever” by the 1995 bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City. The Memorial and Museum are dedicated to educating visitors about the impact of violence, informing about events surrounding the bombing, and inspiring hope and healing through lessons learned by those affected.

For more information on the educator preview or the grant application process, contact Lynne Roller at 450.235.3313 or lr@oklahomacitynationalmemorial.org . For more information on the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum, call 405.235.3313 or visit www.oklahomacitynationalmemorial.org.

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