2015 Lincoln Funeral Coalition Commemoration Event – Springfield, IL
http://lincolnfuneraltrain.org/2015_event.php

Event Information: The developing vision of The 2015 Lincoln Funeral Coalition™

 The extraordinary event will begin with symposiums starting in April, 2015 and culminate with the reenactment of the original 1865 funeral during a three-day historic experience from May 1-3, 2015. 

(Although Monday, May 4, 2015 is the official anniversary date of President Lincoln’s burial, the above dates were selected to preclude weekday business disruption.)

  • United States and international dignitaries are cordially invited to participate.
  •  Abraham Lincoln scholars are cordially invited to participate in event symposiums.
  • Springfield residents, historic sites, and businesses primarily along the processional route will be invited to decorate the exterior of their home or site in Victorian-era mourning.

Period photographs exist for the accurate decoration of the Old State Capitol, Lincoln Home and storefronts along the Old State Capitol Plaza. Reasonable assumptions may be made to appropriately decorate the Edwards Place, Elijah Iles House, Vachel Lindsay Home, Executive Mansion, and individual homes and businesses along the historic route.
Day one - Friday, May 1, 2015

  • Scholarly symposiums on Lincoln’s death and national mourning open.

Venue options may include: The Lincoln Home National Historic Site, Executive Mansion and/or the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum

  • Civil War military and civilian re-enactors from throughout the United States will set up encampments in appropriate locations around Springfield.

Encampment options may include: The Illinois State Fairgrounds, Lincoln Home National Historic Site, Lincoln and/or Douglas Parks

  • Local schools participate through curriculum, visiting Civil War camps and special exhibits.

Evening

  • A performance of, or similar to, The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum performance of The Civil War Musical in Union Square Park.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

Day two - Saturday, May 2, 2015

Arriving at the current Amtrak Station on Third Street, a funeral train accurate to the period carrying current dignitaries, historic officials, representatives and the replicated coffin of President Lincoln.   For information, see: http://www.the2015lincolnfuneraltrain.com/

  • A period-accurate hearse and the procession will follow the historic route from the Amtrak station to the Old State Capitol or alternate venue if warranted.
  • Direct descendants of original Pallbearers and Civil War Reenactors will escort the coffin to the Hall of Representatives or alternate venue if warranted.
  • The venue for the public Lying-in-State opens and may continue as a candlelight vigil.
  • Scholarly symposiums resume.
  • Civil War encampments open for public viewing.
  • Informal open-air concerts by Civil War era bands take place at a variety of venues throughout the afternoon.

Venue options may include: The Executive Mansion, Illinois State Capitol grounds, and Union Square Park

Evening

  • Ticketed performance by a nationally recognized Civil War era band.Venue options may include: Hoogland Center for the Arts, the Executive Mansion and the Plaza or Union Theater at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum

    Day three - Sunday May 3, 2015
  • Civil War encampments re-open for public viewing.
  • Local churches have the opportunity to invite the Civil War era musicians to provide music during worship.
  • The funeral vigil ends mid-morning to facilitate arrangements for the funeral procession to take place.
  • Funeral procession begins - A replica of the original hearse to be used. Focus to be provided for those individuals and groups who participate in 1860’s period attire.
    Local schools, clubs, and organizations march and participate.
  • The funeral procession follows the historic route to Oak Ridge Cemetery. (Due to the inaccessibility of the original entrance to Oak Ridge Cemetery, the  procession will enter from Monument Avenue north of North Grand Avenue  and proceed to the old public receiving vault.)
  • Clergy and Civil War Reenactors present the appropriate eulogy, speeches and salutes at the old public receiving vault.
  • Civil War era musicians perform the music originally conducted during this ceremony.
  • The three-day event concludes.