v This extraordinary 150th Anniversary Commemoration will begin with scholarly symposia throughout April 2015; a poetry, visual arts, and musical event on May 1, 2015 and, from May 2 – 3, 2015, conclude the commemoration with a two-day historic reenactment of the 1865 memorial procession and ceremony for President Abraham Lincoln. 

(Although Monday, May 4, 2015 is the official anniversary date of President Lincoln’s 
burial, the above dates were selected to preclude weekday business disruption.)

v United States and international dignitaries are cordially invited to participate.

v  Abraham Lincoln scholars are cordially invited to participate in the event symposia. 

v Springfield residents, historic sites, and businesses primarily along the processional route 
       are invited to decorate the exterior of their home or site in Victorian-era mourning.

Period photographs exist for the accurate decoration of the Lincoln Home and, storefronts around the Old Capitol Plaza area. Reasonable assumptions may be made to appropriately decorate the Edwards Place, Elijah Iles House, Executive Mansion, and individual homes and businesses along the historic route.

Tuesday April 14, 2015

In conjunction with the Springfield Theatre Centre and, Directed by Pam Brown, a special performance of “Our American Cousin” the melodrama comedy attended by Abraham and Mary Lincoln on the night of his assassination.

=Venue: Hoogland Center for the Arts

THE SCHOLARLY SYMPOSIA BEGIN APRIL 15, 2015

=Venue options may include:
The Lincoln Home National Historic Site, Executive Mansion, University of Illinois at Springfield

ENCAMPMENTS
Thursday, April 30, 2015

=Civil War military and civilian re-enactors from throughout the United States will set up encampments in appropriate locations around Springfield.

Encampment options may include: 
Benedictine University at Springfield, Enos Park Neighborhood, the Illinois State Fairgrounds, Lincoln and / or Douglas Park;

THE BEGINNING WEEKEND EVENTS
Friday, May 1, 2015

=Civil War encampments open for public viewing in locations around Springfield.

Encampment options may include: 
Benedictine University at Springfield, Enos Park Neighborhood, the Illinois State Fairgrounds, Lincoln and / or Douglas Park;

=Local schools will participate through curriculum, visiting Civil War camps and special exhibits. 

EVENING (ticketed event) 

=Benedictine University at Springfield and the 2015 Lincoln Funeral Coalition will present
“Abraham Lincoln through the Arts: Performances of Poetry, Music, and Visual Arts
Celebrating the Essence of Lincoln”. 

Day two - Saturday, May 2, 2015

THE REENACTMENT
Day one - Saturday, May 2, 2015

=Arriving at the current Springfield Amtrak Station on Third Street, a funeral train accurate to the period carrying current dignitaries, historic officials, representatives and the replicated coffin of President Lincoln. 

=A period-accurate hearse and the procession will follow the historic route from the Amtrak station to an area near the Old Capitol Plaza. 

="Dignitaries, Color Guard, Civil War Reenactors and direct descendants of the original Honorary Pallbearers will participate in the opening commemorative ceremony. (To date, six descendants of the original twelve Pallbearers have been located.)

=Civil War encampments open for public viewing. 

=Informal open-air concerts by Civil War era bands take place at a variety of venues throughout the afternoon. 

Venue options may include: 
Benedictine University at Springfield, Lincoln and / or Douglas Park 

EVENING

="Benedictine University at Springfield and the 2015 Lincoln Funeral Coalition will present a poetry and musical performance.

Day two - Sunday May 3, 2015 

=Local churches have the opportunity to invite the Civil War era musicians to provide music during worship.

=The funeral vigil ends mid-morning to facilitate arrangements for the funeral procession to take place.

=Funeral procession begins 

A period-accurate hearse to be used.
Local schools, clubs, and organizations may march and participate.
Focus to be provided for those individuals and groups who participate in 1860’s period attire.

With adjustments for safety and modern-day streets, the funeral procession will follow the historic route to Oak Ridge Cemetery.

It is the hope of the Coalition to have the procession use the original 3rd. Street entrance to Oak Ridge Cemetery.

The restoration of the 3rd. Street entrance is actively being planned by the Oak Ridge Cemetery Foundation.

Should it be needed, an alternate route for the procession will be to enter from Monument Avenue north of North Grand Avenue and proceed to the old public receiving vault.

= Clergy and Civil War Reenactors present the appropriate eulogy, speeches and salutes at the old public receiving vault.

= Civil War era musicians perform the music originally conducted during this ceremony. 

= "The 150th Anniversary Commemoration concludes.

The Coalition resolutely believes that this event will greatly benefit the State of Illinois as well as the City of Springfield. To ensure the success of this endeavor, we welcome a cooperative relationship with interested participants.