Coming in October to the Freedom Center:

Lincoln: The Constitution and the Civil War

Discover the Drama of our Nation's Darkest Days in a new Exhibition on Abraham Lincoln

The story of America’s immense struggle to rid itself of the scourge of slavery and preserve its fragile democracy is the focus of a new exhibit, entitled Lincoln: The Constitution and the Civil War, opening at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center on October. 17.

See important exhibit schedule information below.

Created by the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, in partnership with The Lincoln Museum in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and with funding from Lincoln Financial Group, Lincoln: The Constitution and the Civil War highlights the three constitutional crises Lincoln faced as President from 1861 until his assassination in 1865: Secession, Slavery and Civil Liberties during the Civil War. The exhibition explores how Lincoln met the enormous challenge posed by these issues, and why his very human struggle still matters to us today.

Lincoln: The Constitution and the Civil War features more than 100 images, historical documents and artifacts from the collections of The Lincoln Museum, and other nationally prominent institutions, incorporated into a variety of innovative and interactive exhibit formats. In addition, Lincoln’s voice – in the form of excerpts from his writings and speeches, as recorded by acclaimed actor Sam Waterston – will enable visitors to hear first-hand his thoughts and views on issues such as equality, slavery, freedom, democracy, justice and the Constitution’s rule of law. Through the exhibit’s media and interactive elements, visitors will be able to hear Lincoln being sworn in as President, view Civil War battles and Lincoln portraits through a replicated 1860s box camera, play a genuine 1862 board game called “The Secession Game,” vote in the election of 1864, experience a replicated jail cell for citizens arrested for dissent or disloyalty and decide their fates, and more!

Supplementing the exhibition and in keeping with the Freedom Center’s mission to foster discussion and citizen engagement, a variety of public programs featuring Lincoln experts discussing current and historical topics that relate to the exhibition are planned to coincide with the exhibit, which runs through Jan. 11, 2009.

Make plans now to come to the Freedom Center to view this unique, timely, and historically important exhibit on our 16th President.

Important Schedule Information

During the run of the Lincoln Exhibition, please take note that the Freedom Center will be closed on all Mondays during October, November, December and January. We also will be closed on the following Sundays: October 19, November 2, 16 and 30, and December 14 and 28.

About the National Constitution Center

The National Constitution Center, located on Philadelphia’s Independence Mall, is an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing public understanding of the U.S. Constitution and its relevance to Americans’ daily lives. Opened on July 4, 2003, the museum dramatically tells the story of the Constitution from Revolutionary times to the present through more than 100 interactive, multimedia exhibits, film, photographs, text, sculpture and artifacts, and features a powerful, award-winning theatrical performance, “Freedom Rising”. For more information, call 215.409.6600 or visit ConstitutionCenter.org.

About Lincoln Financial Group

Lincoln Financial Group, with headquarters in Philadelphia, is the marketing name for Lincoln National Corporation (NYSE:LNC) and its affiliates. The company provides annuities, life insurance, 401(k) and 403(b) plans, 529 college savings plans, mutual funds, managed accounts, institutional investment and financial planning and advisory services. Lincoln Financial Group's Internet address is: www.LFG.com