The Association of Lincoln Presenters
2023 ALP Conference
April 13-16, 2023
Springfield, IL
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2023 ALP Conference - Springfield, Illinois
The Association of Lincoln Presenters
Springfield, Illinois: Looking Back at the 2023 Conference
Submitted by hosts Randy Duncan and Laura Keyes
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A total of 52 Members and Guests registered for the Conference, and 51 people attended. Most of the attendees gathered on Thursday evening to hear a wonderfully informative lecture, “Lincoln’s Springfield Family,” given by Erika Holtz. Erika Holst is the Curator of History at the Illinois State Museum. While the hotel AV equipment failed us, our attendees were still enthralled by Erika’s resources, and her information on Mary’s extended family in and around Springfield. And, of course, that quickly became Abraham’s extended family upon their marriage.
Friday morning saw our attendees gather at the Lincoln Home National Historic Site. While many of us have been through the Home itself before, we all learned a lot about the neighborhood in which they lived, which of course tells us more about their life in Springfield, before their move to Washington City. We were able to snap a group photo in front of the Lincoln Home before we left for our next destination.
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The final resting place of the Lincoln Family (minus Robert, but let’s not talk about that…) – The Lincoln Tomb – was our second destination on Friday. Our tour guide was very helpful, and answered all our questions. I think we can all admit that the final resting place of two people whom we admire and revere so much was a powerful location to visit.
On Friday evening, we were happy to welcome Dr. James Cornelius and hear from him about “Shocking Forgeries and Sure Uncertainty: Pursuing the Lincolns’ History.”
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On Saturday morning, we enjoyed a tour of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum, which included a behind-the-scenes talk with the creative team of the popular “Ghosts in the Library” skit.
The Mary Lincoln Luncheon was held at Edward’s Place on Saturday afternoon, April 15. Edwards Place, built in 1833 is an historic house museum that tells the story of social and domestic life in Abraham Lincoln’s Springfield, Illinois. Edwards Place was the home of attorney Benjamin Edwards, youngest son of Governor Ninian Edwards and brother-in-law of Mary Lincoln’s sister, Elizabeth.
The group was seated in the 2 front parlors. Lunch was catered by Mojo Café. The annual business meeting was conducted. The group of 19 ladies enjoyed the presentation Kathryn Harris did of Elizabeth Keckley. The highlight of the luncheon was the tour of the historic mansion.
During this time, the remainder of the conference attendees enjoyed their box lunch and the guest speaker Guy Fraker. After lunch, many of our members visited the nearby Springfield and Central Illinois African American History Museum before returning to our hotel for our last evening together with John Lupton, who spoke about Abraham Lincoln and the Illinois Supreme Court.
On Sunday morning, many attendees were welcomed at the Lincoln’s Church, the First Presbyterian Church in Springfield, for a music-filled service. We then had a dedicated tour of this historic church and their amazing Tiffany-studio stained glass windows.
On Saturday morning, we enjoyed a tour of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum, which included a behind-the-scenes talk with the creative team of the popular “Ghosts in the Library” skit.
Click to Enlarge
The Mary Lincoln Luncheon was held at Edward’s Place on Saturday afternoon, April 15. Edwards Place, built in 1833 is an historic house museum that tells the story of social and domestic life in Abraham Lincoln’s Springfield, Illinois. Edwards Place was the home of attorney Benjamin Edwards, youngest son of Governor Ninian Edwards and brother-in-law of Mary Lincoln’s sister, Elizabeth.
The group was seated in the 2 front parlors. Lunch was catered by Mojo Café. The annual business meeting was conducted. The group of 19 ladies enjoyed the presentation Kathryn Harris did of Elizabeth Keckley. The highlight of the luncheon was the tour of the historic mansion.
Click to Enlarge
During this time, the remainder of the conference attendees enjoyed their box lunch and the guest speaker Guy Fraker. After lunch, many of our members visited the nearby Springfield and Central Illinois African American History Museum before returning to our hotel for our last evening together with John Lupton, who spoke about Abraham Lincoln and the Illinois Supreme Court.
On Sunday morning, many attendees were welcomed at the Lincoln’s Church, the First Presbyterian Church in Springfield, for a music-filled service. We then had a dedicated tour of this historic church and their amazing Tiffany-studio stained glass windows.