Lincoln in Art and Science

The Arts Club of Washington is once again opening its historic doors to the Lincoln Group for a presentation on a rarely discussed aspect of the 16th president. Lincoln Group President David J. Kent will be discussing Lincoln's interests in science and technology. This talk will take a fresh approach to the theme of David's latest book, Lincoln: The Fire of Genius, presenting different material than in his talk for the Lincoln Group or recent presentations at other venues. He will use images and artwork to give insight into how Lincoln developed his scientific interests and how those interests influenced his life, personally, professionally, and politically. The program will explore the surprising connections between this imagery and Lincoln’s goal to institutionalize science and technology in the federal government. 

Lincoln Group members are invited to attend. If you are not a member of the Arts Club, the price for admission is $15. This will include a reception featuring a wine bar and hors d’oeuvres. Doors open at 6:30 pm, the program begins at 7 pm, with the reception immediately following. Books will be available for purchase.

RSVP with this link: Arts Club of Washington 

Use the RSVP button for "Book Discussion with Author David J. Kent" on October 26. 

The Arts Club is in the James Monroe House on “I” Street NW in the Foggy Bottom area. Also called the Monroe-Adams-Abbe House, its notable residents include James Monroe, who lived there while the White House was being rebuilt after the War of 1812. Later, the house was the home of noted historian and Lincoln’s Minister to Great Britain, Charles Francis Adams, Sr. (son of John Quincy Adams). Lincoln himself likely visited the home when it was occupied by his friend, Gen. James Wadsworth whom Lincoln appointed military governor of Washington during 1862. Still later, the building was occupied by Cleveland Abbe, a meteorologist and founder of the National Weather Service. For a full story of the house, see the Summer 2016 edition of The Lincolnian newsletter (under the heading, “The Monroe House”). Since its founding in 1916, the Arts Club has promoted and celebrated the visual, performing, and literary arts. Many Lincoln Group members will remember it from events we held there in years past, as well as the Harold Holzer Lincoln Memorial Centennial prelude held there in May. (Photo of David J. Kent at the Lincoln Memorial Centennial by Bruce Guthrie).