In honor of the Democratic National Convention Abraham Lincoln Book Shop, Inc. is staging an exhibit featuring original artifacts from Chicago’s first political nominating convention in 1860–the convention that nominated Abraham Lincoln as his party’s candidate for president.
Many of these original artifacts were inside the Chicago 1860 Wigwam where Lincoln was nominated. These are silent witnesses to one of the most historical events in American, and Chicago history.
Other artifacts with political convention and presidential campaign themes from Lincoln’s time, as well as other Chicago-hosted conventions will also be on display. Most impressive is a “from life” oil painting of Lincoln, painted here in Chicago less than two months after the convention. This painting would eventually be donated as an auction item at the Chicago Sanitary Fair. In the end, it would be sold and redonated three times during the fair.
Other ephemera from the day and artifacts related to other Chicago-hosted nominating conventions and candidates are on display, too.
On view for a very limited time, the exhibit opens on Tuesday, August 20th. The exhibit closes on Friday, August 30th. The hours are 11am-4pm. The book shop is closed on Sunday, August 25th, so viewing is not available on that day. Also, the shop is closed to the public August 23rd from 1-3pm. This is to ensure a quiet set during the Jon Grinspan program.
Abraham Lincoln Book Shop is located at 824 W. Superior St., Ste. 100, Chicago, IL. The shop is near Chicago and Halsted Avenues.
Please call the book shop on 312/944-3085 if you have questions. We are also available to answer email inquires.
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We hope to see you!
