Heads up, history buffs—the Vandalia Statehouse is set to celebrate Honest Abe's big day this Sunday, Feb. 11. Decked in period garb, Randy Duncan will take on the role of Lincoln, diving into the 16th president's formative political years and his anti-slavery stand. According to an Illinois government press release, Duncan's portrayal promises to vigorously enlighten visitors on "Lincoln's time and work in the state legislature in Vandalia."
Free to the public and kicking off at 2 p.m., this birthday bash isn't just to quickly brush over history—it's to give folks a full-on Lincoln experience. The program's highlight includes a special focus on Lincoln's pushback against the condemnation of slavery's abolishment by D.C. This nod to Lincoln's evolution on the slavery issue is a clear attempt to more deeply root visitors in the contextual soil of his legacy.
Post-presentation, guests can mingle over refreshments, and the event's organizers, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, and the Old State Capitol Foundation roll out the hospitality carpet. The Vandalia Statehouse at 315 W. Gallatin St., which served as the capitol from 1836 to 1839, welcomes history enthusiasts and the Lincoln-curious Wednesday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. So mark your calendars.
Details are a phone call or click away for those keen to get a deeper grip on Vandalia Statehouse and its historical offerings. You can reach out at 618-283-1161 or virtually visit the historic site's Facebook page.
