“Lincoln and New York,” a new exhibit at the New-York Historical Society in Manhattan, highlights Abraham Lincoln’s career and association with the country’s largest city. The exhibit follows Lincoln from his 1860 presidential campaign speech at Cooper Union to the unprecedented outpouring of grief during his funeral procession. It is open October 9, 2009 until March 26, 2010.
The exhibition includes original artifacts, iconic images and period documentation that will show how the city’s politicians, preachers, picture-makers, publishers and citizens interacted with Lincoln and his political party.
Cooper Union
The first gallery, “Is Lincoln the Man? The Campaign for the Hearts and Minds of New York (1860),” focuses on his background and the extension of slavery into western territories. It recreates Lincoln’s February 1860 visit when he spoke at Cooper Union and posed for a photograph that helped launch his national career. A video recreation of the Cooper Union speech is presented by actor Sam Waterston.
Artifacts in this gallery include the lectern Lincoln used at Cooper Union, a printed text of his speech along with political cartoons and editorial commentary that established him as “Honest Abe” and the “Railsplitter.”
New York Media
“A City at Odds with the Nation (1861-62)” addresses the reactions of the editors and publishers of the city’s 175 periodicals after Lincoln’s election, to the secession of the Southern states, the turmoil at the New York Stock Exchange and the shipping problems within New York harbor.
Lincoln visited New York during February 1861 while traveling to his inauguration. Eyewitness Walt Whiteman called his welcome along the city’s streets as “ominous.” Business leaders that included powerful Democrats pledged funds and goods to support the war. The city’s huge Irish community raised its own battalion in response to Lincoln’s call for troops.
Pro- and Anti-Lincoln
“Civil War Within Civil War” illustrates the animosity among those in the city who supported and opposed Lincoln policies. Large three-dimensional depictions of the era’s political cartoons will be illustrated in this gallery. The display also will show how some New Yorkers benefitted from the war as the city’s industries provided munitions, shipbuilding, medical supplies, food and money lending.
NYC Draft Riots
“The Northernmost Battlefield of the War” recreates seven conflicts in the city from 1862 to 1864. Visitors will learn about opposing views and locate surviving landmarks. Among the subjects are the 1863 draft riots that engulfed Lexington Avenue and Fifth Avenue near 42nd Street. Minnesota troops that just fought at Gettysburg had to march quickly to New York to help restore order.
Portraits and Martyred President
In the “Eye on Lincoln” gallery, four portraits that never have been displayed together show Lincoln as a Railsplitter, Jokester, Tyrant and Gentle Father. The last gallery, “The Martyred President,” looks at Lincoln’s 1864 election victory and his New York funeral procession. It concludes with details of how New Yorkers have memorialized Lincoln over the years.
The exhibit is accompanied by a full-color catalog edited by noted Lincoln historian Harold Holzer. His contributions to the publication also include an introductory essay and a chapter about the city’s publishers and the making of Lincoln’s image in New York. Objects in the exhibit are from the New-York Historical Society, the Gilder Lehrman Collection, the Library of Congress and many other organizations.
