By Wendy Swanson
Washington, D.C.
Wednesday, May 11, 2022
Here's one more "must do" item to add to your ever-growing list of Lincoln Memorial Centennial-related special events.
On May 19, the Library of Congress will honor the Lincoln Memorial Centennial at one of its “Live! At the Library” Thursday evenings. The location for the event: The Library's Thomas Jefferson Building-Great Hall, 10 1st Street SE, Washington, D.C. 20540.
Treasures on display on the 19th will include the Nicolay copy of the Gettysburg Address and the reading copy of Abraham Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address. Also on view will be material relating to the Memorial’s architecture and artist Daniel Chester French’s sculpture of a seated Lincoln as well as Walt Whitman’s memorialization of Lincoln through poetry and public speaking. Finally, the role of the Lincoln Memorial as a site for civil rights activities will be represented with documents by John Lewis, Martin Luther King and others.
The Library’s Thomas Jefferson Building and all exhibitions are open now for extended hours on Thursdays from 5 to 8 p.m. as part of the “Live! At the Library” series. Visitors’ experiences will encompass far more than the opportunity to view iconic historic documents, as if that were not enough. The series will regularly feature special conversations, music, performances, films and workshops that showcase the broad range of holdings at the national library.
Visitors are also invited to enjoy happy hour drinks and light food specialties that are available for purchase on the second floor of the building. Experience the Library’s Great Hall (see the above photo) overlooking the Capitol and the Thomas Jefferson Building’s beautiful architecture while immersing yourself in the Library’s exhibits, collections and programs. These events are open to visitors.
Every Library of Congress visitor must reserve timed-entry passes for these events in order to maintain safe capacity levels in the Thomas Jefferson Building. Reserve your timed entry pass. Review too the Library’s Know Before You Go guide for current Library safety and visiting requirements. If you need more information in planning a visit, call the Visitor Engagement Office at (20) 707-9779.
See you at the Library!
And don't forget to join us on May 22nd on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial for our centennial celebration organized by the Lincoln Group of DC and the National Park Service and co-sponsored by the Lincoln Forum. And check out all the other events we have going on this month to commemorate the Memorial's 100th anniversary. [Click on the "Events" tab to see it all]
(Photo credit: Library of Congress)