Centre/Lincoln Connections Part 3: experiences of Lincoln

RELEASED: July 31, 2008

DANVILLE, KY—As many across the country sound the horns for the bicentennial celebration of Abraham Lincoln's birth, Centre College is taking a look into connections that alumni and other friends have with the famous president. From nicknames to books to actual meetings, alumni stories and associations are pouring in. This third and final segment focuses on personal connections with Lincoln through stories, memories and experiences.

One of the most interesting connections to Lincoln's death comes from Chris Whelan '88, who has an antique local newspaper (Louisville Times) in his possession that was published on the day after Lincoln's death. An account of the assassination is featured in the article. Whelan obtained the paper from his great aunt, who passed it on to Whelan's father, who ultimately passed it on to him.

Linda Goodlet Scott '75 is currently in her third year as a docent at the Mary Todd Lincoln House in Lexington, the first house museum ever to open in honor of a first lady. Scott helps educate her guests about Mary and Abraham, as well as life in Lexington during the 1830s and 1840s.

"[Lincoln] visited Mary's family home in 1847 as they were on their way to Washington for his term in the House of Representatives," Scott says. "Lincoln slept here in the guest bedroom!"

The following two connections are personal experiences that two alums have had with Lincoln during the courses of their lives:

Kate Hampshire Hensley '03: "In the winter of 2000, the Centre Singers went on a tour of Virginia that included a brief stop in our nation's capital. On our first evening, we went on an impromptu walking tour of the city's monuments. The Lincoln monument was included, and it only took a few minutes for a group of singers to realize that they were standing in a superb acoustical space. However, there are rules against such things at the monument, so our a capella version of "My Shepherd Will Supply My Need" was banished to the very bottom of the memorial steps.

"Nonetheless, we sang our song (all the verses) and even the security guard who had politely (but firmly) asked us to take our music elsewhere seemed to appreciate the sentiment. It's a very simple story, and maybe you had to be there, but it will always be one of my most cherished Singers memories."

Robert Foshee '74, shares a humorous anecdote from his childhood:

"I must have been about 10 years old, in fourth grade at public elementary school in Louisville around 1962. For a class project, children were assigned to play the role of a president. I was assigned to portray Lincoln, and with great excitement, I told my parents that evening.

The following day I went to school with a note from my mother, requesting the teacher reassign me the role of Jefferson Davis. As I remember it, the switch was made. Can you believe that?"

Check out the first two stories in this series: Part 1: It's all in the family and Part 2: Memorabilia, Memoirs.

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Founded in 1819, Centre College is ranked among the U.S. News top 50 national liberal arts colleges. Consumers Digest ranks Centre No. 1 in educational value among all U.S. liberal arts colleges. Centre alumni, known for their nation-leading loyalty in annual financial support, include two U.S. vice presidents and two Supreme Court justices. For more, visit http://www.centre.edu/web/elevatorspeech/

For news archives go to http://www.centre.edu/web/news/newsarchive.html.