Museum unveils schedule for commemorative Lincoln weekend

April 11-13 at the Columns Museum MILFORD — The Columns Museum has organized for Apr. 11-13 a history filled weekend (particularly the late 1800’s), in memory of President Abraham Lincoln, with activities including Civil War re-enactments, discussions with Lincoln scholars, historical movies, and a solemn funeral procession and ceremony resembling those of President Lincolns in 1865. • The weekend will begin on Friday, April 11, with a reception at the Columns. Darren Fouse will commence the evening activities with a short soliloquy in which he portrays Mr. Lincoln and puts forth the late President’s thoughts regarding his own mortality (President Lincoln had several dreams and premonitions which warned him of his fate). The performance will be followed by a reception, including a musical performance by Martha Lorin, a well-known Jazz musician, and culinary delights crafted by Chef Christian. • On Saturday, April 12, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., Civil War re-enactors will be camping on the grounds of the Columns Museum, presenting to the public different aspects of a soldier’s life during the Civil War. Presentations will include the preparation and cooking of food on the battle field, close order drilling of the troops, and weapon demonstrations. At 11 a.m., Joanna Szackmary, of the 56th NY Re-enactors Group, will be lecturing on rituals and mourning attire with several examples of clothing on loan from the prestigious collection of Juanita Leisch Jensen, an expert on 19th century clothing. • On Sunday, April 13, at 12:30 p.m. a funeral procession will depart from the Stroyan Funeral Home at 405 W. Harford Street. A replica of Lincoln’s original coffin, accompanied by Fife and Drummers and Union Civil War Re-enactors, will be carried in a horse-drawn carriage to the Columns Museum on Broad Street. Following the placement of the coffin in the museum’s Lincoln Room, a small memorial service will be held in tribute to President Abraham Lincoln, in which pertinent eulogies will be read by members of the American Readers Theatre. Following the eulogies will be vocal performance by Jacqueline Kroschell, a leading soprano with the Opera Theatre of New York. The weekend will come to a close with members of the American Readers Theatre reading letters written by Jeannie Gourlay and other eye-witnesses to the assassination. The weekend’s activities are sponsored by the Pike County Historical Society, Stroyan Funeral Home and Orange and Rockland Utilities. These companies graciously funded a large percentage of the costs surrounding the event. There will be a $25 charge for Friday night’s performance and reception, with proceeds going to offset additional costs for the weekend. All other events are being offered free to the public. For more information, or to reserve a place at the Friday night reception, call 570-296-8126 or visit us online at www.pikecountyhistoricalsociety.org.