Baylor's W.R. Poage Library Celebrates Lincoln Bicentennial With Exhibit and Lecture

Media contact: Lori Fogleman, director of media communications, (254) 710-6275

Baylor University's W.R. Poage Legislative Library will commemorate the 200th anniversary of the birth of Abraham Lincoln with the exhibit "With Malice Toward None: An Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Exhibition" and a public lecture on "Recollecting Lincoln" by Bob Willard, past president and director of the Abraham Lincoln Institute and the current vice president of the Abraham Lincoln Association.

An opening reception for the Lincoln Bicentennial exhibition will take place from 2 to 4 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 12, at Poage Library. The exhibit will be on display through Aug. 28.

Willard will speak about studying and collecting materials related to Lincoln over the past 50 years at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 19, in the Meadows Recital Hall in the Glennis McCrary Music Building. A reception for Willard will precede his lecture from 3 to 4:15 p.m. that day at the Poage Library. All events are free and open to the public.

Baylor's Lincoln exhibit will feature numerous items on loan from the private collection of Judge Jack Hightower, including rare and signed books about the nation's 16th president, reproductions of important documents, framed artwork and a re-creation of the Lincoln Memorial.

A former Texas Supreme Court Justice and Baylor alumnus who has long been a great admirer of Abraham Lincoln, Judge Hightower said he is pleased that Baylor's Poage Library is joining in the nationwide celebration of Lincoln's birth so people can learn about and re-visit the story of Abraham Lincoln.

"Lincoln was a dynamic leader, and people recognize the struggles he faced as he gracefully led this nation through one of its most turbulent times," he said. "This timely exhibit is a great opportunity for students, families and the Waco community to take part in a special celebration of Abraham Lincoln and the perfect time to honor one of our nation's greatest presidents."

Willard is a long-time collector of books and other material about Abraham Lincoln, and has advised agencies involved in digitization of Lincoln material. He serves on the boards of both the Abraham Lincoln Association and the Abraham Lincoln Institute. In addition, he is treasurer of the Lincoln Group of the District of Columbia, and is a member or supporter of numerous other local and national groups concerned with the legacy of Abraham Lincoln.
In 2005, Willard traveled the Lincoln Trail, from his birthplace in Hodgenville, Ky., through southwestern Indiana to Lincoln's tomb in Springfield, Ill. The trip covered 1,000 miles over four weeks and included 200 miles on foot.

For more information, contact Ben Rogers at (254) 710-3540 or email Poage_Library@baylor.edu.

More information on the national celebration can be found at: National Committee on the Lincoln Bicentennial.