Land of Lincoln: Springfield, Illinois

Last weekend I led a bus trip to Springfield, Illinois, to visit historic and contemporary sites associated with our 16th President, Abraham Lincoln. This year marks the bicentennial of Lincoln’s birth, and Springfield was all spiffed up to celebrate this auspicious occasion.

On Friday evening we made our way to Bloomington, where we spent the evening. After a good night’s sleep, we headed for Springfield.

Our first stop was a guided tour of the Old State Capitol, the center of Illinois political life from 1839 - 1876 that played an important role in the political struggle between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas. Lincoln visited the building frequently as both a lawyer and a politician, delivering his famous 1858 “House Divided” speech in Representatives Hall. Our tour included the Governor’s Reception Room where Lincoln set up headquarters during his 1860 presidential campaign.

We then walked across the street for a tour of the Lincoln-Herndon Law Offices where Lincoln practiced law from 1843 to about 1852. Next, we drove to Lincoln’s Tomb located in Oak Ridge Cemetery on the north end of town. It was a beautiful spring day, and after visiting the 117-foot monument, our group sat on a wall surrounding a bronze bust of Lincoln by Gutzon Borglum, recognized for his rendition of Lincoln at Mount Rushmore. On this sculpture, Lincoln’s nose is a shiny bronze caused by visitors rubbing it while having their pictures taken.

We rounded out the afternoon at the Illinois State Museum where we viewed their newest installation, From Humble Beginnings: Lincoln's Illinois 1830-1861. It included a treasure trove of historic artifacts as well as stories of people who lived in Illinois during the time of Lincoln.

On Sunday morning, we visited the Lincoln Home Visitor Center where we viewed a short video before a guided tour of the only house that Abe and Mary Lincoln ever owned. The rooms were dimly lit, and although the décor looked busy, the flash in my photographs revealed a truly gaudy interior due to the intensity of colors.

Some of my 17 fellow travelers said they were moved by their walk through Lincoln’s Tomb. I was most impressed by our tour of the family home, where some of the furnishings were period pieces while others were actually owned by the Lincolns. Standing in these rooms allowed me to envision life with the Lincolns.

Our final stop was the much anticipated Lincoln Museum, a beautifully designed building that occupies an entire city block in downtown Springfield. The Museum includes a series of exhibitions and interactive experiences that combine modern technology and historic artifacts to breathe life into the uplifting yet tragic story of Abraham Lincoln and his family and his immense impact on our nation. Highlights include a holographic performance of Ghosts of the Library and a film in the Union Theater complete with rumbling seats and puffs of smoke shot out of the walls during the war scenes.

By mid afternoon we were ready for our return trip to Wausau. I had a great experience and invite my co-travelers and others to leave comments on their encounters discovering Abraham Lincoln in Springfield, Illinois.

Words and More Words

I often wonder how many words I’ve written about the Woodson Art Museum since I began working here in September 1977.

What do I write or help edit? Here’s a short list: letters (every imaginable type), grant applications (ditto), events calendar and invitation copy, exhibition descriptions, newsletter stories, newspaper and magazine articles, press releases (too many to count!), catalogues, website blurbs, staff memos, handbooks, e-mails galore, blogs, innumerable lists, WHAT’S LEFT???

Shortly after my Woodson arrival, I took a writing refresher course with instructor Jim Force. One statement he made is imbedded in my mind: “Every time you sit down to write you have the opportunity to make a difference for your organization.”

When I sit before a blank white Word screen on my monitor and the writing muse appears to have left the building, I think about Jim’s words and then launch into the task at hand.

Is it easy? Not usually. Is it letter perfect? Rarely. Is it work? Definitely. (I don’t trust people who say writing is fun!) Am I subject to editing? Everyone at the Woodson Art Museum is subject to editing. A favorite mantra is from Oscar Wilde: “In the morning I put a comma in and in the afternoon I take it out.”

The way I write (computer vs. pencil and paper) or submit materials (hard copy vs. online) has certainly changed – but the need to write has not. Fortunately, the Woodson’s exhibition schedule, additions to the collection, new education programs, and the need to continually seek funding mean that my subject matter is seldom the same.

Have I made a difference for the Woodson Art Museum? I want to believe I have – but that doesn’t ensure a cure for “blank-screen syndrome”!

Teens Talk Programming and Art

The Museum recently welcomed ten juniors from Mosinee High School for their annual Careers-in-Action Day. Arriving around 8:30 am, a group of not-yet-wide-eyed students took their seats and asked Museum staff questions ranging from “What still surprises you about your job?” to “Share a fun or interesting story about the Museum.” If you know the Museum staff, then you know we like to talk! I know I speak for those staff who participated in the experience – these students were Grade A.

[I once was a high school student who went on one of these jaunts myself. I was interested in fashion and art, my placement was Sears – don’t ask me how that happened – but it did result in one of my first jobs, in the juniors department.]

After the question session wrapped up, curator of exhibitions Andy McGivern took students behind-the-scenes. He later told me the students were insightful and asked many relevant questions. These experiences often lead to golden moments for both staff and students, highlighted by the “Aha, I get it” look on someone’s face.

Following the time with Andy, students broke into groups and each group received a file folder containing information on one upcoming exhibition, additional resource materials on the exhibition or artist, and previous events calendars. Their task: Come up with programming ideas for the exhibition. Each group worked diligently. The Children’s Book Magic group kept giggling while reading the children’s books. I can’t hold them at fault, I’ve read them and they’re funny!

Soon after our “think tank” was underway, our Papa John’s pizza lunch arrived. During the working lunch, students talked informally about their reasons for coming to the Museum, their love of art, and whatever else they felt like talking about. The lunch was both productive and delicious. I’m always amazed at the amount of pizza teens can eat, plus they never worry about all the carbs!

Having finished up their program proposals students presented their ideas to staff, who began a dialogue with students about the program potential of their ideas. This is stuff we can use! We invited students back to the Woodson Art Museum in the next year to see if their ideas become real programs.

Students then explored the galleries on their own with intern Maggie Christians and I available to answer questions and offer tidbits of information. By the time they left, I felt these ten Mosinee High School juniors knew the Museum better and felt more comfortable here. We said our goodbyes and off they went, back to rows of desks, tests, and lockers.

When reflecting on this experience, I felt the warm fuzzies. These experiences have so much value not only for the students but also for staff. We had the opportunity to listen to the insights of teenagers, a group whose attention we often struggle to capture. I hope I’ll see their faces around here again, maybe for the upcoming “Aunt Gladys” Residency, or in next year’s Student Art Exhibition. Whatever the case may be, I’m glad they chose the Woodson Art Museum as their Careers-in-Action site.

Student Art Exhibition

As a grade-school student, I never looked forward to art class. While my classmates enjoyed the respite from reading, writing, and math, I broke out in a cold sweat at the idea of doing something creative. Attempting to draw the suggested animal or holiday scene was a struggle for me, unlike my classmates who eagerly finished their assignments to have them proudly hung around the room. My talents ran more to appreciating the work of others. Perhaps I was destined to be a curator from birth!

The annual Student Art Exhibition is a delightful reminder of those classroom experiences without the stress. As I install more than 150 artworks from students in grades five through eight, I am amazed – as I am every year – by the array of talent on view.

How fortunate students in north central Wisconsin are to have strong art programs at every grade level taught by art educators who respect the basics while keeping their curriculum fresh and current.

Take a pleasurable jaunt through the South Galleries where you may encounter wild jungle scenes, fruit still lifes, and portraits of everything from cartoon characters to family pets. No matter the subject, each artwork demonstrates students expressing themselves using line, color, shape, pattern, texture, design and, most important, their inventiveness and imagination.


Two receptions to celebrate all this talent take place on Thursday, March 12, from 4 – 6:30 pm and Saturday March 14, from 1 – 3 pm. Stop in to congratulate our young participants and support their creativity.