Abe Lincoln returns to Woonsocket

Woonsocket Call ^ | May 2, 2010 | DONNA KENNY KIRWAN

[Willie Green]

PAWTUCKET — It was 150 years ago this month that then-presidential candidate Abraham Lincoln made a train journey from Providence to Woonsocket where he delivered one of his most significant speeches to a crowd of 1,500.

On May 15, the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council is making it possible to experience some of the excitement of that historic campaign visit with a special event.

The 150th Abraham Lincoln Train Tour will recreate this journey that was made in 1860 by America's 16th president. Participants will ride on an excursion car on the Providence & Worcester Railroad, the same railway line that carried Lincoln from Providence to Worcester.

With sponsorship from The Times, The Call, and Neighbors publications, and Navigant Credit Union, tickets are now available at a reduced price of $25 per person.

Participants will join “Abraham Lincoln” as he travels once again from Providence to Woonsocket on the Providence & Worcester Railroad. The tour runs from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The train leaves Amtrak Station, 100 Gaspee St., Providence (across from the Rhode Island Statehouse) at 9:30 a.m. for a four-hour visit to Woonsocket. Passengers are encouraged to dress in period costume.

Along the journey, “Abe” and some of his advisors will be passing through the train to bring to life that historical period, discuss what the landscape looked like at the time, and answer questions about Lincoln's presidency and the politics of the day. Chief Justice Frank J. Williams (ret.), a noted Abraham Lincoln scholar and author, will also be taking part in the event.

Once in Woonsocket, participants will be invited to Harris Hall (now Woonsocket City Hall at 169 Main St.) to hear Lincoln's historic Cooper Union speech. This speech earned Lincoln national acclaim and is considered to be one of his best political oratories. The speech presentations will be at 11 a.m. and again at noon.

The Providence Brigade Band will be playing period music for the tour participants and several National Park Service Rangers will be available to lead walking tours of the city. While in Woonsocket, participants will also have time to visit the Museum of Work & Culture, visit local shops, and dine at one of the many nearby restaurants before the return train ride back to Providence.

Each passenger will receive a signed commemorative print from an original painting of Abraham Lincoln that was done by Blackstone Valley artist Peter Campbell. Each ticket to the event includes a chance to win the original portrait done by Campbell that is valued at $2,000.

Donna Houle, project manager for the BVTC, said “We realized that this year would be the 150th anniversary of the speech that was given by Abraham Lincoln at Harris Hall. Many people don't even realize that Lincoln was ever in Woonsocket, and we wanted to commemorate this special event.” She added, “This was the first time we have brought this train from Providence to Woonsocket.”

Ross Silva, marketing manager for Navigant Credit Union, said “We are proud to support this event and the efforts of the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council. He added that the credit union is “always here to help our local community and the organizations that serve it.”

For ticket reservations, call the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council at 724-2200.

[Non-Sequitur]

IYO Are these the words of an abolitionist?

They are.

[Non-Sequitur]

Nothing personal, bunny. But I’m already spoken for.

[Lazamataz]

I will not take no for an answer. And I will NOT be ignored.

[central_va]

"Whereas, Slavery, throughout its entire existence in the United States is none other than a most barbarous, unprovoked, and unjustifiable War of one portion of its citizens upon another portion; the only conditions of which are perpetual imprisonment, and hopeless servitude or absolute extermination; in utter disregard and violation of those eternal and self-evident truths set forth in our Declaration of Independence:"

                 -- J. Brown

I thought this is what an abolitionist really sounded like.

[Non-Sequitur]

I thought this is what an abolitionist really sounded like.

That is what a nutjob who was also an abolitionist sounded like.

[SunkenCiv]

· join list or digest · view topics · view or post blog · bookmark · post a topic · subscribe ·
	Gods Graves Glyphs	Welcome back Laz! Just addin', not pingin'. To all -- please ping me to other topics which are appropriate for the GGG list. GGG managers are SunkenCiv, StayAt HomeMother, and Ernest_at_the_Beach
·Dogpile · Archaeologica · LiveScience · Archaeology · Biblical Archaeology Society · · Discover · Nat Geographic · Texas AM Anthro News · Yahoo Anthro & Archaeo · Google · · The Archaeology Channel · Excerpt, or Link only? · cgk's list of ping lists ·

[fieldmarshaldj]

Trolling an Abe Lincoln thread... that’s priceless.

[mojitojoe]

YOU are obsessed with race and slavery and I do mean obsessed. Were some of your ancestors slaves and why do give a crap about something that happened before you were born? It’s over, get OVER it.

[Non-Sequitur]

YOU are obsessed with race and slavery and I do mean obsessed. Were some of your ancestors slaves and why do give a crap about something that happened before you were born? It’s over, get OVER it.

OK so it was central_va who first raised the subject of slavery and I'm the one whose obsessed with it? You are nothing if not moronic.