Join us June 22-27 or July 20-25, 2008 for a one week Teacher’s Workshop:
Abraham Lincoln and the Forging of Modern America

Funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities Landmarks of American History and Culture: Workshops for Schoolteachers

We invite you to join us during the summer of 2008 for an extraordinary program on the campus of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) and Springfield, Illinois.

We will host 50 teachers in each of two, one-week workshops in which we will explore Abraham Lincoln’s life in Springfield, Illinois and the political and historical challenges he faced as President. Join us as we hear from outstanding Lincoln scholars drawn from universities in the St. Louis area.

Following a day of welcome, lectures, and discussions, we will travel together for an overnight stay in Springfield, Illinois, described by Lincoln as his only real home. We will begin our visit in Springfield with a tour of the new Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum and Library, renowned for its use of interactive technological exhibits as well as artifacts belonging to the Lincoln family. Next, we will visit the Lincoln home where staff will explain how social events in the Lincoln Home helped to facilitate his political ambitions. Additional perspective on his political base will be explored by visiting his law office. During some independent time for exploration, you might want to visit the Old State Capitol across from his law office or the reconstructed train station, where Lincoln bid farewell to his neighbors and friends as he left to assume the Presidency.

Springfield offers numerous sites which portray the forging of this great president. Join us as we enjoy the shops and restaurants of downtown Springfield. We journey the following day to explore Lincoln’s early life in the town of New Salem Village where he grew to be a man. There, he clerked in a store, enlisted in the Blackhawk War, served as postmaster and deputy surveyor, studied law, and was elected to the legislature. We will see 24 reconstructed buildings (timber houses, shops, and stores) and numerous costumed interpreters who bring to life the village of Lincoln’s day. Following our visit to New Salem Village, we will return to the SIUE campus for the final sessions of our workshop.