Lincoln Funeral Train Car Came to Charleston

Back in April of last year I was reading about the Lincoln Funeral Train 

they were building for the 150th anniversary of the death of Lincoln.

I saw where you could have the car coming to your town, and I thought

Charleston would be a great place so I sent the link to the tourism director.

I am happy to say we were the first stop after Springfield!
I spent 3 days giving tours, what a honor to be on the car.

we had 500 school children go through every day.
Dale who did alot of the interior work on the car was portraying Jonathan Hay
 who was Lincoln's secretary.

Bob started the inside of the tour

Sara Bush Lincoln was there to see her son Abraham
She spoke to the children

How about I take you through

Lincoln's coffin

handles recast of original design
attention to detail to show the original was so important.

the original car was built as Lincoln's "air force one" as we would say.
He did not want to use it until after the close of the war due to the fact so many were suffering.
His plan was after the war to travel to all the states.
He had a appointment to see it, but it was the day after he was assassinated.
So it was modified into a funeral car.

this would of been Lincoln's office area, there is even a restroom.
These chairs were donated by a family who's ancestors had a plantation
 and these chairs came from there.

the next room is a bedroom

the last room was a sitting room for Lincoln to welcome guest.
Everyday the lady who played Sara Bush Lincoln brought fresh lilacs.
This room is where Lincoln's son Willie's coffin was.
He was taken back to Springfield to be buried even though he had died 3 years earlier.

the states all had plaques lining the ceiling, this was IL

ceiling rosette, the craftsmanship was amazing
see the bee?

cousin Karen was Matilda Moore, Lincoln's step sister who lived in Charleston

oh my the lines were long
between 3-7 we saw 500 people on Tuesday and 700 on Wednesday!

we had beautiful weather
I rotated from being in our Lincoln Douglas debate museum,
to helping people on the train and taking pictures for people getting on to being in the back of the train as I am here.

the air conditioner in the Lincoln Douglas debate museum broke to Tuesday, of course!
So I moved the speakers outside and it was beautiful weather so it worked out great.

 

cousin Fred came and helped

Wednesday we had speakers reading Lincoln's favorite poems and excerpts from his writings.

Of course the twins were there helping and so were cousin Marty and Mary coming all the way from Indiana to help.

Many of our Charleston Riot friends from last year were there.

Diane the tourism director did a great job getting 1500 school kids through, and the Mayor was there everyday. If you remember he dressed for the Riot last year.

we had to say goodbye to our new friends,

it was sad to see the train pull away.

again a once in a lifetime memory!

If you get a chance please go!
Lincoln Funeral Car

My Watering Cans

Last week I actually passed up a chippy green watering can,

pretty unusual for me.

From my header you know I love them

the big ones sit on the garden bench or back porch and are used to catch some rain water.

Others live on the back porch, found rusty

Special ones live in the Garden Cottage

one of my favorites

Some have flowers

Some have animals

or Fairy tale type characters

some have writing

My other favorite one

isn't she cheerful?

Oh the garden shed needs a good cleaning, cob webs, leaves how did they get in there?

this one came back in my luggage from France!

the spout comes off

Even the lamps are watering cans

wall pocket watering can

 a old tobacco drying rack hangs up smaller ones on the cottage porch

So where have I been?

Saturday our Charleston Riot Committee received

"Superior Achievement Award"

From the IL State Historical Society

Springfield is all abuzz getting ready for the Lincoln Funeral

I was able to grab a shot of Lincoln's home with mourning drape.

I start vacation Friday and will be going to 1515 because the
Lincoln Funeral Train is coming to Charleston after it leaves Springfield!

So I will be conducting tours and wrangling visitors.

Hope you enjoyed the watering cans

Ann

Happy Easter!

Just want to wish you all a Happy Easter.

Blessed to be going to my MIL's tomorrow with my husbands family

I thought I would give you a look back at my past Easters.

I always remember getting a new dress, shoes and at sometimes a Easter Bonnet!

The most pleasurable part of my blog is reading the memories you share with me from your own childhoods.

Only my 2nd Easter with my Brother and Grandmother in front of their home across from Eastern IL University. My brother's shoes are so cute and love his little sports coat.

A few years later my Grandparents bought a new home

Easter 1967

We each had our own basket, and yes I still have mine from Grandma!

My brother all decked out, the pin is his good attendance pin from Church.

I like my little suit, wouldn't mind that now.

On the TV behind you can see Grandma's Daffodils.

They always were displayed in the same vase.

A Iris vase but it will always be the "Daffodil Vase" to me.

Mine are just now blooming so time to go pick a bouquet.

Have a blessed Easter and thank you for the blessing of your friendship

Dreaming Under the Willow

The Willow trees are out and as I passed one yesterday

I thought about the one from my childhood.

My neighbor Lola, who was like my Grandmother had one.

I use to just go sit under it.

I wish I had a picture but I don't.

But it is a happy memory.

Do you have a memory of a tree from your childhood.

I am ready for spring

here is my Mom and Lola and our shared cat Bomber

Do you see all her flowers?

She worked out in the garden night and day even in her 90's.

I learned alot  about flowers from her.

As I look to the left of this picture the Willow is there.

Look at Lola's corn crop!

The tomato plants are in our yard that Mom and Grandma are checking out,

do you see peering out from around Grandma?

My Mom grew up in Detroit and they lived in a apartment.

When they moved back home in 1939 they always rented so my Grandparents did not have flowers.s.

My Mom loved our yard and she still took care of it by herself until she died.

Lola gave us starts of Lilac's, peonies, surprise lilies and more.

Luckily I was smart enough to bring a start of the peonies when I bought my house 20 years ago, so I have a piece of Lola here.

I went to the flea market with my Brother and SIL last weekend had a great time.

So thinking of those blooms I picked up 3 little pottery vases for $10.

I think the 3 will hold some of those pretty flowers that will be in my yard this spring and summer.

Maybe I need to plant a willow in my backyard to dream under?