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Photos of February 2010 Lincoln Birthday Celebration

This year's event was held at the Engineer's Club in Downtown Dayton. Activities included: guest speaker Ed Hamilton, sculptor, a lively conversation between Abraham Lincoln and Fredrick Douglas impersonators, a live auction, a display of rarely seen Lincoln artifacts and a delicious dinner. See a video of the event.

Ed Hamilton Lincoln Birthday at Dayton Engineers ClubLincoln and Mary Todd impersonators
Bing Davis and Bill White Lincoln bust Lincoln portrait Lincoln artifacts

Lincoln Bicentennial Celebration

Throughout 2009, the Lincoln Society of Dayton highlighted and supported a variety of programs and events to celebrate Lincoln's Bicentennial. We have been partnering with groups in the local area, most notably: PBS Channel 16 programs, United Theological Seminary dinner & discussion, libraries, especially the Metro Library and Mary L Cook in Waynesville, Wilmington College Quaker Conference, Association for the Study of African American Life & History essay contest, VA Medical Center " Lincoln's Legacy at the VA," and the Memorial Day Weekend Patriot Freedom Festival.

The Lincoln Society of Dayton celebrated the anniversary of Lincoln's visit to Dayton in September with the following events: presentations by Judge Langer at the U.D. Law Courtroom, Leon Bey at Mary L Cook Library, Gary Kersey at the Engineer's Club, and Harold Holzer at the Old Courthouse, the movie:"Young Mr. Lincoln" at the downtown library and two days of activities at the Learning Tree Farm. (see DDN for news article) .

Lincoln Society Seeks Funds for Statue

The Lincoln Society of Dayton had commissioned an accomplished Lincoln sculptor to create a stirring, lasting tribute to Abraham Lincoln at the Old Court House in downtown Dayton to:

  • Commemorate the speech against slavery that Lincoln delivered there on September 17,1859

  • Educate schoolchildren and adults about this pivotal time in our history and Lincoln's vital role in saving our nation.

  • Inspire our community to follow Lincoln's example of compassion and patriotism and to carryon his legacy of championinge quality and justice for all

  • Build upon and complement restoration of the Old Court House and development of downtown Dayton

However, funds are not currently sufficient to cover the cost of the monument. If you would like to contribute toward this goal or have ideas for fund raising please contact us at lincolnsocietyofdayton@gmail.com

About the Sculptor

Selected from numerous candidates, Rebecca Childers Caleel of Illinois may be commissioned by the Lincoln Society to memorialize in bronze Honest Abe's historic Dayton appearance if enough funds are raised. She has won acclaim for her gift of defining through sculpture his unique character.

Lincoln expert Dr. Wayne C. Temple, chief deputy director of the Illinois State Archives, endorses her work: "With her God-given talent combined with her artistic training, she has succeeded beautifully where most others have failed to capture the true figure of Abraham Lincoln."