MOUNT VERNON - The story of Jefferson Davis and Abraham Lincoln is the story of the United States, and without either of their lives and influence we would not be the nation we are today. Davis and Lincoln were born within 9 months and 100 miles of each other in Kentucky log cabins. Their parallel lives from that point forward were eerily similar in spite of Davis remaining a life-long Southerner and Lincoln moving to and settling in Illinois. Both men were ambitious and drawn to the world of politics where Davis, an ardent slaveholder and state rights leader and Lincoln, seeking to limit and eradicate slavery, worked tirelessly to avoid Civil War up to the moment of Southern secession. Lincoln and Davis were each considered martyrs after leading their nations through the conclusion of the Civil War and the stark political events of their era are still being replayed across today’s America.
So what if the two men held a joint press conference? As part of the 150th anniversary of Robert E. Lee’s surrender at Appomattox in April, 1865, the Chautauqua Series welcomes the 2 leaders to ThePlace@TheWoodward (120 S. Main Street in downtown historic Mount Vernon, Ohio is a first floor facility fully accessible for those with special needs) on Thursday April 2. Doors open for this donation basis event at 6 PM, Elixir (local trio specializing in 1800’s American music) will start the program at 7 PM and then the 2 Presidents will speak at 7:45 PM and conclude with a Question & Answer period with the audience.
The Chautauqua Series, now in its 9th season, is the only year round Chautauqua [first person living story] in the country, is organized by Gerry Rensel, Chris Petee and Mike Petee and sponsored in part by a grant from the Ariel Foundation. For more information on programs in the series, call 740-392-6102 or visit www.elixirpresents.com, www.VisitKnoxOhio.org. To receive a gentle reminder the weekend before each program, contact Mike Petee at elixir_petee@hotmail.com.