The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1909-02-11
The LINCOLN
FARM
CELEBRATION
One Hundredth Anniversary of
of the Birth Of Abraham Line
oln to be Observed on Feb. IL

The nation will observe on Feb.
12 the one hundredth anniversary Of
the birth of Abraham Lincoln, the
man raised up by Divine Providencs
to preserve the unity of the American
people and leave no slave undss
their flag.
Recognizing the patriotic signif-
'cance of this centennial, a group Of
American citizens two years ago or
ganized and incorporated under the
laws of the State of New York the
Lincoln Farm Association, which
proposed to make of Lincoln's hum
BILE birthplace a national shrine, and
on the one hundredth anniversary
of his birth to dedicate 1t to the
American people as the abiding sym
Dol of the opportunity with which
democracy endows its men.
Through the generosity of one Of
its directors, the Association, almost
at its inception, acquired the full
title to the Lincoln birthplace farm
and the rude little cabin in which
he was born. 1hus equipped, the
Association began its preparations
for an appropriate national celebra-
tion on the twelfth day of February.
1909.
That some sort of an enduring
memorial should be placed on thix
historic ground all were agreed.
In the two years history Of the
Lincoln Farm Association the pro-
gramme for the centennial has taken
very full and concrete form. 1t was
decided by the Associations Execu-
tive Committee to build on the birth
place farm, which is In the geograph-
ic centre of the State Of Kentucky, a
memorial museum. which Is to cost
about two hundred and fifty thou
sand dollars, and which will tell the
story of the early yeomanry life out
of which Lincoln came. This museum
will house, as its central object OF
interest, the weather-worn little log
cabin in which Abraham Lincoln WAS
born. The farm, rough little patch
of one hundred and ten acres, bisect-
ed by the old Louisville and Nash
Vile Pike, will be kept farm, grow
ing corn and squash, bluegrass and
grain, as it has always done since the
day that Thomas Lincoln took his
little family to venture into the
wilderness beyond the broad Ohio
On these broken and uneven acres
Lincoln's countrymen will lay their
tribute broad green plaza, with the
Memorial Hall at one end and sim
pie shaft at the other. to mark the
ground on which stood the first home
OF him whose memory Is the strong
est, tenderest tie that binds all hearts
together now, and holds all States be-
meath the Nations flag"
The building will be constructed
of Tennessee marble and fireproof
material throughout. 1t will contain
a central court, over which will be
built movable roof, and in which
the birthplace cabin will be restored.
Around this will be the museum
halls, the main room being converti-
Bile into an auditorium for the use
of any patriotic gatherings that may
choose to use 1t in this way. Once
every year at least, on the twelfth
day Of each February. the nation will
hold in this hall the central Lincoln'S
birthday celebration. Lying, as this
birthplace does, almost at the GEN.
tire of our population. 1t will be the
most accessible national shrine, and
in many ways it will be the most sig
niiicant. II not the most inspiring. 1t
VIII become the Nations Commons,
the meeting-place of North and
South, of East and West, a great ma
tional school of peace and unity,
where all sectional animosity will
forever be buried. President Roose-
welt has called 1t "A National Tenn
pie of Patriotic Righteousness"
One hundred years have passed
since this rough little patch OF Ken
tucky ground laid claim to the affec-
tions of coming generations. In these
years the American people have
grown to love the man of tender
strength who was Graded on that
soil. On the twelfth day of February,
1903, the Lincoln Farm Associations
Will open and dedicate to the Ameri-
can people this birthplace farm
President Roosevelt year ago ao-
cepted the invitation from the Asso--
cations Board Of Directors to deliy-
er the dedicatory address.