By Tahra Gribbin
Review Intern
For the next six weeks, the Orion Township Public Library will be a hot spot for history buffs and interested individuals throughout our community.
Lincoln: The Constitution & The Civil War, a traveling exhibit has recently opened and will stay through April 13th. This exhibit celebrates the 150th anniversary of the Civil War.
March 3 saw a large crowd show up to watch actors Fred and Bonnie Priebe, portray President Lincoln and his wife Mary. Lake Orion residents Thomas Blue and Mike Cushnier said that they particularly enjoyed seeing the re-enactments of the famous speeches.?
‘It’s one thing to read the speeches in books, but it makes it so much more in teresting and engaging to be able to hear them as they were actually performed,? said attendee Ellie Olson. ‘I was very excited to get a chance to see Mr. Lincoln because I have always been a big fan of his.?
Ruth Cushnier and her son, Jacob, said they enjoyed how the actors interacted with each other.
‘I think the younger kids enjoyed the stories that the actors told while the speech re-enactments were a great experience for the adults. It was a nice way to give the children a way to relate to the information they were presenting,? said Ruth Cushnier. ‘They did a great job of interacting with the kids who had questions at the end.?
Beth Sheridan, the Head of Adult Services for the library said that this exhibit seems to be doing its job – providing an education.
‘Providing this exhibit helps the community to understand more about the civil war, it is also nice that it brings people in to the library,? Sheridan said. ‘We strive to be the cultural center of Lake Orion, so it’s nice when people show so much interest in our programs.?
After watching the presentation by the President, the attendees got a chance to speak to some other actors and observe some of the things they used in their everyday life. They also had the chance to see the type of clothing they would wear during their time period.
The standing exhibits will be on display in the library for the next six weeks and will be available for perusal during library hours. The library is open Mon – Thurs 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Fri & Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.?
At 7 p.m. on March 22, Oakland University Professor of History Luke E. Harlowe will discuss Lincoln’s opinion on slavery. You can register for this event online at the Orion Township Library website.