LMU celebrates 125th anniversary

Jay FitzOur Town Youth

Lincoln Memorial University is kicking off special programming and events in celebration of the 125th anniversary of LMU’s charter and founding. There is a year of events planned in honor of its quasquicentennial.

On Friday, Feb. 11, at 4:30 p.m., everyone is invited to a wreath-laying ceremony at the Lincoln Statue inside the Abraham Lincoln Library and Museum. At 5 p.m., Dr. Clayton Hess, LMU president, will make a formal announcement of the 125th celebration year.

Lincoln actor Dennis Boggs will then read the Gettysburg Address. Dr. April Church, associate vice president for academic affairs, will sing “Battle Hymn of the Republic,” and the ceremony will conclude with the introduction of the James Simmons Annual Scholarship Award for an outstanding history major.

Boggs will perform as Abraham Lincoln at 6 p.m., in “An Evening with Mr. Lincoln.” Seating is limited for the free performance, so tickets are required and available here. Audience members will be able to take pictures with Boggs after the performance, and refreshments will be available at that time.

On Saturday, Feb. 12, the Museum will open at 10 a.m. with activities planned throughout the day. Admission will be free. Museum staff will offer the annual behind-the-scenes Inside the Vault tour but will take the items to the Daughter’s room for added space. The Museum archivist will show special items up close and provide detailed information. Tickets are free, but must be reserved here.

Guided tours will be available all day, no ticket required. Documentaries and Steven Spielberg’s movie “Lincoln” will be showing in the Museum auditorium. Special family activities will take place throughout the galleries, with a soft opening of the upstairs area of the museum. A formal dedication of that area will occur during LMU’s Homecoming festivities in October. Additionally, students from LMU’s Honors Program will be on hand Saturday to interview alumni about their experiences while at LMU.

A full calendar of events can be found here. For more information on events at the ALLM, contact Sweet at Natalie.sweet@LMUnet.edu.

Information provided by Lincoln Memorial University.

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