President Lincoln is coming to Orange County

I snuck in and got a few sneak preview shots from the "Abraham Lincoln: Self-Made in America," exhibit which is still in the installation process at the Old Courthouse Museum in Santa Ana. The exhibit is sponsored by OC Parks and the Orange County Archives, and will be complemented by a series of lectures. For details on the exhibit and lectures click here. The exhibit will run throughout the month of February.
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The photos above show casts from life masks made of Lincoln. Both are part of the exhibit. It's as close as you'll ever get to seeing the man with your own eyes. Quite amazing.
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The core of the exhibit comes from the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum, and focuses on the story of Lincoln himself. But today I'm giving you a peek at some of the additional materials that have been added to help connect Lincoln's story to Orange County. For example, this is a copy (above) of the document Lincoln signed to give Mission San Juan Capistrano back to the Roman Catholic Church. (Reproduction courtesy of the Mission).
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And below is a small sample of a large display of original materials relating to the Grand Army of the Republic (Civil War veterans) annual gatherings once held at the Methodist Campground in Huntington Beach. These ribbons are from the collection of Charles Beal.

Also among the exhibits is this panoramic view (below) of G.A.R. veterans at a Huntington Beach encampment around 1915. Barbara Bellot and the Lovitt family have made copies of this image available to a number of historical organizations here in Southern California.

I understand there will also be some materials on display courtesy of Disneyland and their Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln attraction.
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There will be lots more to see, but you'll just have to go see it in person during February. (And while you're there, be sure to see the rest of the Old Courthouse and visit us in the Archives downstairs.)