Heart of Lincoln Land

"Immortal Words at Gettysburg" Lincoln T-shirt by Lincoln Apparel

It’s fun as an artist being able to live your passion, and see how other people enjoy your work. It gives me a sense of pride, and accomplishment, knowing that other people enjoy my artistic vision that I put so much work into.

Last Saturday, I sold 3 of my Lincoln T-shirts to a tourist from Chicago. I sold them through Springfield Novelties and Gifts, the shop in downtown Springfield where I have some of my shirts for sale. I was on one of my regular walks through downtown, stopping in the store checking on them, when the owner told me that they sold. He stated that the tourist thought that my artwork was "really good", and that the tourist enjoyed the fact that I am local. I sold one of my "Back to Springfield" T-shirts, one of my "Equality" T-shirts, and one of my "Immortal Words at Gettysburg" T-shirts to that tourist that day. I was ecstatic when I found out that it happened – I felt proud and humbled at the same time that there are perfect strangers who love my Lincoln artwork!

Then on Monday, I sold a T-shirt on my website to somebody in Brazil. It’s neat thinking there are people in other countries who enjoy your work! The Internet is a neat place sometimes, isn’t it? Slowly but surely, it seems that my work is getting out there, and it proves that Abraham Lincoln is admired in many different places. I started Lincoln Apparel because I wanted to spread Lincoln and his message through my wearable art T-shirts, and now it’s happening. Isn’t that cool?

I’m thinking of putting a world map on the Lincoln Apparel website showing all the places I’ve sold T-shirts to. It’d be fun to see how many states and countries have ordered at least one of my Lincoln T-shirts!

Interestingly, "Immortal Words at Gettysburg", a T-shirt I made to illustrate Lincoln’s multicultural appeal, remains one of my most popular sellers. I’m going to make more of them (since I’m selling out of the ones I have), this time with the design printed as an oversize "full-front" print, so that more of the detail in the fonts in the Gettysburg Address text can be seen. I think it’d turn out great that way – it’s a design that’s begging to be printed so that it fills up the front of the shirt. I’ll let you know about this and any other cool Lincoln designs I have coming. T-shirts are a great way to spread Lincoln’s message, and that’s one reason why I love making them!

Tweet This Post

Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum (Photo Copyright © 2009 Chris Umhoefer)

Today, the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum, my favorite museum in the country, is officially 5 years old. (What other museum would a Lincoln fan have as a favorite?) It opened on April 19, 2005, at the end of a 4-day log celebration, and I was there for much of it. I still remember the light show a couple nights before it opened (it was one of the most awesome things I’ve seen), and the crowd of 25,000 or more people (much of it standing room-only) watching the dedication, where then-President George W. Bush and future president Barack Obama both spoke. I was actually one of the lucky people who got a seat, though I had to sit pretty far back (about in the middle of what is now Union Square Park).

After the dedication, I took my first tour of the museum. It took me over 6 hours to go through it all. (I still find it hard to believe that the Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau recommends 2 hours – it takes at least 3-4 hours for the average person to go through the museum, based on my observation). I read everything in the Museum that I could, and looked at all of the lifelike exhibits, staring and wondering with awe in many cases. Of course, I visited both of the Museum’s theaters that day (both of which feature incredible special effects), saw the temporary exhibit “Blood on the Moon” (about Lincoln’s assassination), and looked with awe (again) at the actual Lincoln artifacts scattered throughout the Museum and in the Treasures Gallery. (Man, these were the actual things Lincoln wrote and touched, I told myself as I could feel Lincoln’s spirit coming over me.)

Lincoln would be proud!

That day, the museum had its first 3,500 visitors, and today the museum remains by far the most visited Presidential museum in the country – with over 2.2 million visitors thus far, and about 400,000 to 500,000 visitors each year. The visitors come from places far and wide – all 50 states, and every continent – and as a volunteer there for 5 years so far, I’ve met people from England, France, Japan, China, and Brazil.

I feel lucky to live in Mr. Lincoln’s Hometown, within walking distance of his wonderful museum (and many of the other Lincoln sites). It has helped bring additional tourists to Springfield, brought greater vibrancy to our downtown, and most importantly, has introduced additional people to the Lincoln story. I highly recommend visiting it, whether you’re from Springfield and haven’t visited it yet (come on, you know you have to), or you’re from another state or country and you’re looking for something fun and interesting to see. Of course, make sure you see the other Lincoln sites too – like his Home and Tomb, and the Old State Capitol and the Lincoln-Herndon Law Offices – all iconic places that contribute greatly to the Lincoln legacy.

Today, beginning at 10:30, there will be a ceremony at the Museum celebrating its 5th anniversary, and cake will be served. It looks like it will be a wonderful day in Springfield, like the day the museum was dedicated. I hope you come see it soon!

(By the way, if you follow the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum on Twitter or fan the ALPLM on Facebook you can win a neat prize! I’m already a fan and a follower, of course.)

Some pictures from the dedication in 2005:

President George W. Bush speaks to a crowd of over 25,000 people during the dedication ceremony for the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum on April 19, 2005.

A Lincoln presenter at the Old State Capitol during the dedication of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum, April 18, 2005.

A Lincoln presenter performs a re-enactment of Lincoln's Farewell Address to a crowd of several thousand during the dedication ceremony of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum, April 18, 2005.

Tweet This Post

Lincoln mourning badge (courtesy Library of Congress)

145 years ago today was Good Friday, April 14, 1865. Spring was in full swing in Washington, the Union had just won the war, and people were celebrating, wondering what President Lincoln would do now that the war was over.

The Lincolns decided that after all the stress of the war, they’d go to the theater tonight to watch a funny play called “Our American Cousin”. A famous actor at the time, John Wilkes Booth, had pro-Confederate sympathies and full access to Ford’s Theatre – and he was plotting revenge against the President on this day.

The following is a timeline of the events of Lincoln’s last day:

8 a.m.: Lincoln’s son Robert arrives in Washington from Appomattox for breakfast with his family.

9-11 a.m.: Lincoln receives members of Congress congratulating him on winning the war; conducts interviews with several prominent officials and citizens. He visits the War Department and tells General Thomas T. Eckert of his plans to attend the theater tonight, and invites him to come along.

11 a.m.-2 p.m.: Cabinet meets. Grant reports on the surrender of Lee’s forces at Appomattox; Stanton presents a plan for re-establishing authority in the South. There is discussion about what to do about Jefferson Davis and other Southern leaders. Lincoln tells of a recurring dream he is having, about a ship moving rapidly “towards a dark and indefinite shore”.

2-3 p.m.: Lincoln lunches privately with Mary.

3 p.m.: Lincoln interviews Vice President Johnson. He meets Nancy Bushrod, an African-American woman, regarding her husband’s pay.

4 p.m.: Congressman Shellabarger of Ohio calls on Lincoln to discuss appointments.

4:30 p.m: Lincoln’s assistant secretary reports that Jacob Thompson, a Confederate agent in Canada, is in the United States now, awaiting sail for Europe. Lincoln is asked whether he should be able to leave the country, and Lincoln allows him to leave.

5-7 p.m.: The Lincolns go for a leisurely drive in Washington. They stop at Navy Yard, and pass a house that reminds them of their home in Springfield. They talk of a time when they can both go back home and live peacefully.

7 p.m.: Lincoln meets with Governor Richard J. Ogelsby of Illinois and other Illinois friends at the White House. Lincoln has dinner, and interviews Senator Colfax of Indiana regarding a special session of Congress.

8 p.m.: Former congressman Ashmun of Massachusetts meets Lincoln regarding a cotton claim against the government; Lincoln gives him an appointment to come in at 9 a.m. the next day (April 15th).

8:30 p.m.: Lincoln and his wife Mary, along with Clara Harris and Major General Henry R. Rathbone, make their way to Ford’s Theatre for a performance of the comedy “Our American Cousin”.

9 p.m.: The play begins.

10 p.m.: The Lincolns had what would be the last discussion of their life. Mary put her arms around her husband and asked, “What will Miss Harris think of my hanging on to you so?” Lincoln replied, “She won’t think anything about it”.

10:13 p.m.: Booth leaps into the President’s box and shoots Lincoln, then jumps back down onto the stage, hurting his leg. Suddenly, chaos erupted. Some people in the audience thought it was an act of the play and did not immediately realize the President had been shot. Someone in the audience yelled “Booth!” and eventually the whole audience was yelling it. Mary cried “Help!”, and Harris yelled, “Stop that man!” Eventually, the whole audience was yelling “Hang him!”

Shortly after 10:13 p.m.: Lincoln is moved across the street to the Petersen House where he is treated by doctors. Mary stays near Lincoln’s bedside; Robert, his secretary John Hay come later from the White House. Throughout the night, Vice President Johonson, and other family members and people who have other relations to Lincoln come to his bedside.

7:22 a.m. April 15: President Lincoln dies. Secretary Stanton utters the famous words “Now he belongs to the Ages.” (These words are engraved in the burial chamber inside Lincoln’s Tomb here in Springfield.)

The Lincoln Tomb (photo Copyright © 2009 Chris Umhoefer)

Now for some interesting facts related to the assassination. Did you know that watches and clocks are often set to the time 7:22 in advertisements in memory of President Lincoln’s passing? Another interesting fact is that April 15, 1837, was the date that Lincoln moved to Springfield. And did you know that the year 2006 had the same calendar as the year 1865, and that that year, April 14th was Good Friday? I wonder how often that happens. What’s weird is that that is the same year that two tornadoes hit Springfield and my grandfather died. Creepy, isn’t it?

Tomorrow morning at 11, as there is each year on April 15, there is a commemoration of the death of President Lincoln at the Lincoln Tomb here in Springfield. I will be there, as I have been each year since 2004. I hope I’m not the only Lincoln fan who gets sad around this time of year.

[Edit: A commentor pointed out that John Wilkes Booth was not actually an actor in this play; however, he had access to Ford's Theatre through his fame, and thus was able to shoot Lincoln even though he was not in the play.]

Tweet This Post

The original "Purpose" Lincoln T-shirt design, using pink.

Sometimes, life is difficult. I was going through a rough patch a couple of months ago, when I felt as though I wasn’t getting the proper recognition for my art. Out of that rough patch I created this inspiring Lincoln T-shirt.

I’ve admired Lincoln for almost 15 years, and one of the reasons why I admire him is his sense of purpose, and how he always struggled for the things he believed in even when it appeared as though he would not succeed. His words, experiences, and actions have served to inspire me even during the darkest periods of my life – like in school during the 1990s, a time period I’d rather not remember now (or ever). Abraham Lincoln is like my personal motivational speaker – I gain all the motivation and inspiration I need to continue, during good times and bad, from him.

During the creation of this T-shirt I used bright, inspiring colors to present Lincoln as an illuminating, inspiring figure. I added bright brush strokes to areas like Lincoln’s hair and beard, to further “illuminate” Lincoln and draw attention to him and his sense of purpose. The dark blue colors I used in the background represent the sadness and difficulty of the Civil War and the evils of slavery, crises over which he would ultimately triumph. I based the design off of a photo of Lincoln which I feel shows his confidence and determination well. I could feel Lincoln’s sense of purpose, and his courage and tenacity, as I was creating this painting-like design.

The modified "Purpose" design, which uses turquoise, for guys.

The quote, “Adhere to your purpose and you will soon feel as well as you ever did”, comes from a letter Lincoln wrote to a Civil War cadet during the summer of 1862, who was feeling badly at the time, advising him to stick to his purpose. The summer of 1862 was a difficult time for Lincoln, too – the war was going badly, casualties were great, and he would soon deal with the political fallout from the Emancipation Proclamation, which many, even in the North, did not approve of at the time.

Originally, this design was created using pink as the bright color. I decided after it was completed that I should make a version that wasn’t so feminine for guys, too – and so there is a version that uses turquoise as the bright color as well. As a result, this Lincoln T-shirt is available in both men’s and women’s sizes. The men’s Lincoln T-shirts use the turquoise design, and the women’s T-shirts use the original pink design. Enjoy!

Tweet This Post

The image on this Lincoln T-shirt evokes the events of 145 years ago.

Copyright © 2008 Lincoln Apparel

145 years ago today, Washington, D.C., and the North were in celebration, as the day before, Lee had surrendered to Grant at Appomattox. At the time of the surrender, which occurred during the afternoon of April 9, Lincoln was en route back to Washington from his trip to Richmond. He did not hear about the surrender until he arrived in Washington at around sundown, where the city was in celebration, and streets were alive with people, and there were fireworks, bonfires, and bells ringing. Crowds assembled at the White House calling for the President to speak; Lincoln gave a few brief remarks.

On April 10, the celebrations continued. Crowds serenaded Lincoln, bands played, and Lincoln gave many extemporaneous remarks, but not a full speech. Lincoln responded to the serenades, stating that he would give a speech the next day.

On the evening of April 11th, Lincoln appeared in his second floor White House window to give a speech to the crowd before him, assembled on the White House lawn. His son Tad appeared with him, holding a lantern for him to read by, and Mary appeared in another window. Lincoln began to read his speech, illustrating his vision for America after the Civil War. Here, he restated his view that the seceded states had never actually left the Union, and outlined plans for reconstruction, using Louisiana, which had recently adopted a free state constitution, as an example. More importantly, he endorsed black voting rights, and his desire to reunify the country, both North and South, and black and white.

One of the things that’s always inspired and intrigued me about Lincoln is his struggle to free the slaves and his struggle for racial equality. In fact, this is one of the main things that got me interested in Lincoln in the first place. His speech on April 11, 1865, offers a window into Lincoln’s vision for a future America where everyone would have rights, regardless of race. Here, he endorsed the ratification of the 13th Amendment, abolishing slavery, that he worked so hard for (and which passed Congress a few months earlier – on January 31, 1865), endorsed the benefit of public schools for black and white, and voting rights for the same.

In particular, I love this passage:
"These twelve thousand persons are thus fully committed to the Union, and to perpetual freedom in the state–committed to the very things, and nearly all the things the nation wants–and they ask the nations recognition and it’s assistance to make good their committal. Now, if we reject, and spurn them, we do our utmost to disorganize and disperse them. We in effect say to the white men "You are worthless, or worse–we will neither help you, nor be helped by you." To the blacks we say "This cup of liberty which these, your old masters, hold to your lips, we will dash from you, and leave you to the chances of gathering the spilled and scattered contents in some vague and undefined when, where, and how." If this course, discouraging and paralyzing both white and black, has any tendency to bring Louisiana into proper practical relations with the Union, I have, so far, been unable to perceive it. If, on the contrary, we recognize, and sustain the new government of Louisiana the converse of all this is made true. We encourage the hearts, and nerve the arms of the twelve thousand to adhere to their work, and argue for it, and proselyte for it, and fight for it, and feed it, and grow it, and ripen it to a complete success. The colored man too, in seeing all united for him, is inspired with vigilance, and energy, and daring, to the same end."

That eloquent passage about uniting black and white makes you wonder what would have happened with civil rights had Lincoln actually lived out his second term. Lincoln was an inspiring, unifying figure who never stopped believing in what he felt was right. I plan to release some bright new inspiring Lincoln T-shirts soon – entitled “Purpose” – that illustrate Lincoln’s sense of purpose and that feature a bright, complex illustration of Lincoln I created. Watch this blog and my Lincoln Apparel website for the cool new Lincoln T-shirts!

Tweet This Post