January 16, 2013, The community is invited to celebrate Abraham Lincoln's birthday in Mt. Pulaski on Saturday, February 9th, 2013 at 11am at the Mt. Pulaski Courthouse, William Herndon, Abraham Lincoln's law partner, will be portrayed by acclaimed storyteller, author, and educator, Brian "Fox" Ellis, from Peoria. This is a rare opportunity to enjoy a unique look at Abraham Lincoln through the eyes of his law partner. Everyone is invited to attend this remarkable portrayal, to be held in the Mt. Pulaski Courthouse courtroom, where Abraham Lincoln, Judge David Davis, Stephen A. Douglas, Leonard Swett, William Herndon and other lawyers of the mid-1800’s Illinois Eight Judicial Circuit which traveled by horse and buggy to hear cases brought forth in the Logan County Seat of Mt. Pulaski (1848-1855) – an Illinois Historic Site since 1936. In addition, complimentary servings of Mary Todd Lincoln's cake will be provided throughout the day, 10 am to 4 pm.

In the afternoon, from 1 pm to 3:30 pm, there will be multiple activities for children –craft supplies will be available for making cards, bookmarks, and pictures for Lincoln's Birthday or for Valentine's Day. There will also be an Abraham Lincoln Scavenger Hunt.

On Friday, February 8, two other historic persons associated with Abraham Lincoln will be portrayed by Mr. Ellis at the Mt. Pulaski Schools. For students of the Mt. Pulaski Grade School and Zion Lutheran School, Ellis will portray Austin Gulihur, one of Lincoln's boyhood friends. Fourth graders will begin the morning program with a presentation of Lincoln's Gettysburg Address. In the afternoon, for the Mt. Pulaski High School, Ellis will portray American poet, Walt Whitman, who was a contemporary of Lincoln and wrote poems in praise of him soon after the President’s assassination.

The funding for these events has come from the Tomlinson Trust, the Abraham Lincoln Bureau of Tourism of Logan County, and by the Mt. Pulaski Courthouse Foundation. Mary Todd Lincoln's Cake will be donated by Hilltop Catering of Mt. Pulaski.

Coordinators: Wally Kautz (courthouse director), Barbara Stroud-Borth
Publicity: Phil Bertoni (217 792 5442 or 341 8967) inotreb@frontiernet.net