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Living history this summer

Press Release - Monday, June 04, 2007

Lincoln Log Cabin announces 2007 Visiting Artisans Program
 
            LERNA - Visitors to Lincoln Log Cabin State Historic Site near Charleston can see living history this summer as visiting artisans demonstrate their skills on special weekends throughout the season.  All of these events are free and open to the public.
 
            Lincoln Log Cabin State Historic Site, administered by the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency (www.Illinois-History.gov), is the last home of Thomas and Sarah Bush Lincoln, Abraham Lincoln's father and stepmother.  It is operated as a living history farm where visitors can experience the sights, sounds, smells and speech of 1845.  For more information visit our website at www.lincolnlogcabin.org.  Lincoln Log Cabin is located about eight miles south of Charleston, Illinois.     
 
Abraham Lincoln in Song                                        June 9
            Chris Vallillo weaves historic narratives with period music and contemporary folk songs to present the life and times of Abraham Lincoln in song.  Chris is a nationally known performer whose most recent work has been with the Smithsonian Institution's New Harmonies: Celebrating American Roots Music traveling exhibitionSponsored by the Illinois Humanities Council.  3 to 4:30 p.m.
 
Vintage Base Ball                                                      June 16
Join the Rock Springs Ground Squirrels Vintage Base Ball Club as they explain and demonstrate the rules of play for the 19th century game.   From 10 a.m. to noon members of the Ground Squirrels will explain the game and exhibit uniforms and equipment from the 1860s.  Then, the public may join the team for pick up games between 1 and 4 p.m. 
 
Paper Marbling                                                          June 23-24
            Visit with itinerant paper artist John Bielik as he demonstrates the art of paper marbling. Commonly used as endpapers in books of the 19th century, John uses colored inks to recreate the vibrant swirls and patterns of the "Turkish" style. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days.
 
Silhouettes                                                                 June 30-July1
                Joyce Yarbrough of St. Louis will explain the history and demonstrate the art of silhouette cutting. Before the invention of the camera, anyone who wished to have an inexpensive portrait created could have it cut by a silhouette artist.  Using a sharp pair of scissors and a skillful eye, the silhouette cutter would have produced a remarkable likeness of his subject.  10 a.m. - 4 p.m. both days.
 
Flax Processing                                                         July 21-22
                Join visiting artisan Cathy Grafton as she demonstrates the process of turning flax into linen and shows off antique samples of fine linen work.  In self sufficient pre-industrial households flax grown on the farms would be processed by the women of the household as one of the steps in textile production.  10 a.m. - 4 p.m. both days
 
Toy Making                                                                July 28-29
                Don ‘Pappy' Horne demonstrates the art of wooden toy making common before the industrial revolution and showcases his collection of hand made toys.  10 a.m. - 4 p.m. both days.
 
Blacksmith                                                                 August 4-5
Visit with Blacksmith Gerald Stanford as he forges or repairs agricultural tools for the farmer and items for the farm house.  The blacksmith was an integral member of the community in the 19th century and the range of his work diverse. 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. both days.
 
Tinsmith                                                                     August 18-19
                Don Jarrett demonstrates the 19th century art of the tinsmith.  Tin in the 19th century kitchen was as ubiquitous as plastic ware is today.  Don will be making new tin items as well as repairing vessels just as his counterparts of the past would have done. 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. both days.
 

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