January 24, 2013, Postville Courthouse and Mt. Pulaski Courthouse volunteers have planned grand celebrations of Abraham Lincoln’s Birthday on February 9th which includes refreshments, speakers and tours.

Mr. Lincoln was a lawyer on the Eighth Judicial Circuit before becoming the President of the United States. The original Postville Courthouse was purchased by Henry Ford in 1929 and moved to Dearborn, Michigan. The courthouse that stands today is a replica that was built in 1953 as part of Lincoln’s centennial celebration, while the Mt. Pulaski Courthouse, once the county seat from 1848 to 1855, is the original courthouse building where Mr. Lincoln practiced law.

Mt. Pulaski’s celebration will run from 10:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. A children’s area featuring craft supplies for making cards, bookmarks and pictures along with an Abraham Lincoln Scavenger Hunt will be held from 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Their featured speaker will be Brian “Fox” Ellis. Mr. Ellis, a local favorite, will portray William Herndon during an 11 a.m. presentation. The free public program will be held in the second floor courtroom where Abraham Lincoln, Judge David Davis, Stephen A. Douglas, Leonard Swett, William Herndon and other lawyers of the mid-1800s Illinois Eighth Judicial Circuit practiced law. Complimentary Mary Todd Lincoln cake will be provided throughout the day.

Postville Courthouse, located in Lincoln, IL will be held from noon to 5:00 p.m. Their annual celebration will include tours, refreshments, Abraham Lincoln interpreter, Gary Simpkins, and presentations by the Civil War Ladies. Dorothy Salinger and friends will present on the clothing of that era at 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.

The Abraham Lincoln Tourism Bureau of Logan County encourages visitors to both sites as they celebrate one of the most important members of our heritage, Abraham Lincoln. For more information, call 217-732-8687.