It is fun to continue learning — especially when there are no tests or grades involved — and the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum Facilities Rental Office is proud to announce History Lessons, a new speaker feature that is an educational and entertaining addition to a daytime meeting or event at the Presidential Library.

One of our knowledgeable historians will present remarks on one of 20 Lincoln era topics that you choose and offer time for questions and answers. The feature is offered weekdays based on the availability of the historians. The presentations would also be a great addition of one of our "Luncheon at the Library" or "To a Tea" events.

Please contact the Facilities Rental Office to add one of these History Lessons to your next daytime meeting at the Presidential Library. No tests or grades, we promise

There are two History Lesson options:

• 30 minute presentation
  (15 minute remarks followed by 15 minute question and answer session) $150


• 45 minute presentation
  (30 minute remarks followed by 15 minute question and answer session) $200

"History Lessons" topics are:

A. Lincoln — Attorney at Law: What was practicing law like in Abraham Lincoln's time? What was it like to ride the court circuit? How did Lincoln behave in a courtroom and what did his contemporaries think of him? How good a lawyer was he actually? This presentation addresses these and other questions pertaining to Lincoln the lawyer.

Lincoln as Commander-in-Chief: His only military experience had been as a three-month volunteer in a frontier Indian war. As a Congressman he had opposed the Mexican War. Yet it became his lot as President to preside over the largest war in American history to that time (and still the largest in terms of the loss of American lives and property). How did he do it?

Popular Culture & Presidential Politics in Lincoln's Time: Through examining Civil War-era sports and theater celebrities and a forgotten anti-Lincoln political cartoon, this presentation suggests that the more things change, the more they stay the same. [NOTE: 45 minute Lesson recommended for this topic.]

Lincoln and Agriculture: Follows Lincoln from his early years on the farm to his legislative and presidential efforts to develop and expand a scientific approach to agriculture. The Department of Agriculture and the Land Grant college system were both established during his presidency.

"Blood on the Moon" — Lincoln's Assassination & Aftermath: Gleaning from the Presidential Museum's popular 2005 opening exhibition Blood on the Moon, historians share insights regarding aspects of Lincoln's murder and the fate of the conspirators.

Lincoln Goes Global: Illustrates Lincoln's role as a figure in world history. Many world leaders at different times and contexts have evoked Lincoln to support their programs and ideas. Lincoln transcends geographic place and historic time to offer inspired leadership for the world.

African-Americans Lincoln Knew reveals the many associations and relationships Abraham Lincoln had with blacks. Learn about stories both familiar, such as Billy the Barber and Elizabeth Keckly, and unfamiliar, such as William Johnson and 'Aunty Ruth' Burns.

The Faith(s) of the Lincolns explores the many different religious expressions of the Lincoln family, who over the decades included -- or were claimed by -- Puritans, Quakers, Baptists, Roman Catholics, Presbyterians, Episcopalians, Spiritualists, Christian Scientists ... or none of the above.

Lincoln Never Said That is an overview of sayings that are touted on the Internet and in popular culture as having come from Lincoln's lips, but, in reality, are things he never said. The presentation is a humorous investigation into the real origins of the sayings.

Lincoln and Leadership traces how a man with few advantages made himself into a small-town standout, then a leading attorney, political organizer, and one-cause crusader, then finally one of our greatest presidents. Lincoln's people management, hard work, and humor teach lessons that can apply to parts of anyone's life.

The Lincoln Marriage plumbs the life and society of America's most-studied presidential couple -- the oddly compatible Railsplitter and the Belle of Lexington. Has Mary been fairly or unfairly maligned by some people then and now? Was Abraham wrong to answer the door in his stocking feet? Were they too lenient, or not loving enough, with their boys?

What's in a Name: The Many Monikers of the Lincolns takes you from "Honest Abe" to "Is it Abram or Abraham?" to the ongoing mystery of what to call Mrs. Lincoln. Examining others in the Lincoln period as well, we see how much our names reveal about politics and our times.

What's New in the Lincoln Collection provides an ever-changing look into new acquisitions at the ALPLM. The Taper Collection realized 1,500 new items for the Lincoln Collection. This talk will always offer new surprises.