“Lincoln and Idaho” features copies of original Lincoln artifacts covering the 16th president’s youth, his time as a lawyer and as an Illinois legislator. Also featured will be sections on Lincoln’s candidacy and presidency, his connection with the Idaho Territory and his assassination. Accompanying the exhibit will be six cases of original artifacts.

“Forever Free” is a traveling panel exhibit that reexamines President Lincoln’s efforts to abolish slavery during the Civil War. It contains reproductions of rare historical documents, period photographs and cartoons, lithographs, and political materials.

Idaho State Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter states, “This is a unique opportunity to experience the historical significance of one of our greatest presidents, and to witness another perspective on the birth of what would become Idaho.”

Lincoln was a railroad lawyer in his middle career, and his cases encouraged economic development in Illinois. Further, he was a member of the Wig political party which focused on “Free Labor” and economic development. In an 1859 speech to the Wisconsin State Agricultural Society, he argued there was Divine purpose in education and business development. He illustrated his point saying, “Free Labor argues that, as the Author of man makes every individual with one head and one pair of hands, it was probably intended that heads and hands should cooperate as friends . . .”

Lincoln’s Christian worldview of education and hard work are embodied in the NNU School of Business mission statement, “to educate students for the purpose of developing ethical servant leaders who can transform a global society for the kingdom of Christ.”

Sources taken from http://gov.idaho.gov/mediacenter/press/pr2008/prjan08/pr_004.html, http://www.nal.usda.gov/speccoll/exhibits/lincoln/lincoln_wisconsin.html, and http://www.nnu.edu/fileadmin/Registrar/undergraduate2.pdf (page 91).

R.G. Vanderpool