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The life of Abraham Lincoln has played a key role in multiple attractions at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World. His connection goes back to the original Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln at the 1964-65 New York World’s Fair. It seems fitting that a museum exploring Lincoln’s background would feel like a theme park attraction. Opening in 2005, the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum is definitely worth a visit. BRC Imagination Arts helped to create this destination, and this “experience museum” feels different than your typical history spot.
I was lucky enough to visit the Museum in November, and the exhibits and shows were even better than I expected. On this episode of The Tomorrow Society Podcast, I describe all the highlights in a detailed trip report. My main goal was experiencing the two feature attractions, Lincoln’s Eyes and Ghosts of the Library. Both employ clever visual effects that would seem right at home in a Disney theme park. I also enjoyed the special exhibit The State of Sound, which explores the musical history of Illinois. It’s only open until January 23rd and does a great job presenting a wide range of genres.
The regular exhibits also do a great job in depicting every part of Lincoln’s life. Journey 1 begins with his young life in the Kentucky cabin and shows each step prior to becoming President. There’s plenty to cover from Lincoln’s early years including his role as a lawyer, family life, and the fierce 1860 election. Even more impressive is Journey 2, which finds inventive ways to portray Lincoln as a complicated man. The mix of audio, visuals, and static figures brings the history to life. I could have easily spent a lot more time in both exhibits, which are easy to follow but filled with info.
If you’ve had a chance to visit this Museum, I’d love to hear what you thought of the visit!
Show Notes: Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum
Learn more about the Presidential Library & Museum at the official website.
Check out details about The State of Sound special exhibit, which is open until January 23.
Watch clips of Lincoln’s Eyes and Ghosts of the Library on my channel on YouTube.
Listen to The Tomorrow Society Podcast and rate the show on its Spotify page.
Photo Gallery
Here’s some more photos of my trip that should give you a better idea of what it’s like to visit the Museum.
All photos are by Dan Heaton and may not be used or reproduced without permission.
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