To the untrained eye, it may appear that these racetrack flags are commemorating President Lincoln’s Coming Out Day, but in actuality, the Wadsworth Atheneum was just celebrating his life in the most kitschy way possible– with an impersonator, cake, and appearance by Governor Rell.
Lincolnmania! was The Amistad Center’s thing. The Amistad Center is within the Wadsworth, but is not the same as, but sort of. It’s confusing even for people who work there.
While the kids were getting cake, I went on the “five minute tour” of the Lincoln: Man, Myth, and Memory exhibit. The tour was probably more like fifteen minutes, but it felt rushed, even though the guide for it was doing a fabulous job. The exhibition is a mix of history and art. There’s a portrait of Lincoln made out of pennies. Another portrait of him is a statement of some kind using blackface. There are also images of Frederick Douglass in the show. This exhibit will be open through April 26th.
