Lincoln focus of museum exhibit

Lori Hammelman
Posted 2/8/18

Perhaps Abraham Lincoln could be best known for the Emancipation Proclamation or even the Gettysburg Address. The Illinois connection to the 16th president of the U.S. is the focus on the Flagg Township Museum’s Cabinet of Curiosities.

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Lincoln focus of museum exhibit

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ROCHELLE — Perhaps Abraham Lincoln could be best known for the Emancipation Proclamation or even the Gettysburg Address. The Illinois connection to the 16th president of the U.S. is the focus on the Flagg Township Museum’s Cabinet of Curiosities.

The museum welcomes the community at a reception Sunday, Feb. 18 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. where guest can view the collection of Rochelle resident Sally Sawicki displayed inside the cabinet.

Refreshments including Lincoln’s favorite vanilla almond cake will be served.

“Sally shares a birthday with Abraham Lincoln,” said Jan Devore, assistant director of the Flagg Township Museum. “We have some of Sally’s collection that highlights Lincoln’s Illinois connection. We are welcoming everyone to the museum for the reception, and to see what we have featured in the cabinet.”

Devore said there are special collector plates among the many items, including a book of 101 things people don’t know about Lincoln. For instance, Lincoln created the U.S. Secret Service on the same day he was fatally shot back on April 14, 1865. Lincoln is also the only know president to receive a patent.

Scavenger hunt

During the reception, youngsters are welcome to participate in a scavenger hunt, which the museum is featuring in conjunction with the state of Illinois’ 200th birthday this year.

“We will be having a scavenger hunt for the kids that come in with their parents, and this year we are featuring a state symbol every month. Last month for January was the state bird, and we had little cards scattered throughout the museum,” Devore said. “For the kids’ efforts, they received a bag of bird seed to feed the cardinals. This month for February we will have the state fossil. It’s a way of encouraging our younger guests when they come in with their parents.”

Devore said the museum will be offering guests a chance to design a quilt square with the theme of Rochelle. These will also be available for the schools and in several businesses around town in the coming weeks.

For more information on the museum or the reception please call 815-562-3040.