Hats off to the Lincoln presenters, Washington DC, April 18, 2009 (photo by Ricky Carioti-The Washington Post)
How many Abe Lincolns does it take to hold a conference? As we learned this weekend when a busload of Lincoln presenters came to town, that number would be about fifty. These Lincolns are also known as portrayers or impersonators and they take their job very seriously. To be a Lincoln is to ask yourself, “What would Lincoln do?”
After spending these past few months on the Connections project I’ve come to understand that there were many aspects to Lincoln’s personality: rail-splitter, lawyer, statesman, father, inventor, hero, and martyr, to name the first that come to mind. Perhaps it’s fitting then to see multiple images of Lincoln as pictured here.
I love this photo of a handful of Abes and a couple of Marys. One Lincoln has his hat tipped, while the other Lincolns seem to be looking in different directions. The man in the middle who appears to be the youngest Lincoln has the grayest beard.
Is it me or does the Lincoln on the far left bear a slight resemblance to our most recent ex-president? I think I see it around the eyes. Hmmm. I wonder…is there a line of work for former presidents portraying former presidents?
View more images and read the article in the Washington Post.
Tags: 50 Abes, Lincoln conference, Lincoln impersonators, presenters
