Lincoln Road Trip - Geographic and Spiritual

Thursday is the 200th anniversary of President Lincoln's birth, a day celebrated in various ways in various locations. I'm no history scholar, but I am fascinated by the multiple assessments of Lincoln's leadership. Here are three things you and your family can do this summer to take a look.

1. Visit the Lincoln Presidential Museum in Springfield, Illinois. It's user friendly and inspiring. They have something for all ages, as the old family photograph below illustrates.

2. On the way to Springfield, read at least the Prologue to Lincoln at Gettysburg - the Words That Remade America by Garry Willis. It will change the way you think about America and a few other things.

3. Keep going east to Gettysburg. From Missouri you can drive to this national park in a day. Stand in the place where the Address was given. Read Garry Willis' prologue again.

No disrespect intended by the photo combining the past and present families. The museum in Springfield is fun and instructive for young people, but thorough and robust for serious visitors.

The fingermarks on the original stovepipe hat made me pause.