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OR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
2009 Dedication Day Events to feature Governor Edward G. Rendell
and Academy Award Winner Richard Dreyfuss
November 19, 2009
November 19, the anniversary of the Gettysburg Address, was formally
designated as Dedication Day, by a joint resolution of the U.S. Senate and
House of Representatives, on August 7, 1946. Through the efforts of
Congressman Todd R. Platts (PA-19) a 2009 resolution(HRes736) was
introduced and passed by unanimous vote of the House of Representatives on
Tuesday, November 3, 2009 . The Platts resolution is endorsed by the
National Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission and the Pennsylvania
Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission (PA ALBC). The PA ALBC was created
by an Executive Order from the office Governor Edward G. Rendell in June
2006. The resolution states in part “Whereas 2009 is the 200th
anniversary of the birth of Abraham Lincoln and bicentennial tributes to
his birth are expected throughout the United States: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives-- (1) honors President
Lincoln's greatest speech, the Gettysburg Address; …”
This November 19th, the 146th Anniversary of the Gettysburg Address
will be honored with numerous events in Gettysburg. The day will begin
with a 9:30 a.m. wreath laying ceremony at the Soldiers’ National Monument,
featuring the Gettysburg High School Ceremonial Brass Band. Wreaths will
be laid by Pennsylvania’s Governor, Edward G. Rendell, Richard Dreyfuss,
Brion FitzGerald, the Acting Superintendent of Gettysburg National Military
Park, and Frederick E. Clark, Commander of the Sons of Union Veterans of
the Civil War Gettysburg Camp #112. Following a brief procession of Civil
War reenactors along the upper drive, ceremonies will continue at 10:00
a.m. at the Rostrum, where Governor Rendell and Richard Dreyfuss will
deliver remarks. Of his participation at Dedication Day 2009, Mr.
Dreyfuss said "When President Lincoln spoke at Gettysburg, he was both
admired and reviled by the nation he was trying to save. It is altogether
fitting and proper that we should know him, not just the office he held.
And I am looking forward with enormous gratitude to the opportunity to
speak to these truths on November 19."
Musical performances by the “President’s Own” United States Marine
Band will be a highlight of the ceremony, and are particularly appropriate
given the fact that the U.S. Marine Band travelled with President Lincoln
in 1863 when he visited Gettysburg to deliver “a few appropriate remarks.”
The band was initially created through an Act of Congress in 1798, signed
by President John Adams, authorizing “…a drum major, a fife major, and 32
drums and fifes.” In July 1861, President Abraham Lincoln signed an Act of
Congress officially recognizing the band by legislation. Although Lincoln
was not a musician, he loved music. Some of his favorite songs were “Hail
Columbia,” “Happy Land,” “Barbara Allen,” and “Dixie.”
Another new addition this year is the Naturalization Ceremony by the
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Sixteen applicants will receive
the United States Oath of Citizenship. As usual, Jim Getty, portraying
President Abraham Lincoln, will recite the Gettysburg Address, as he has
done on Dedication Day for thirty years. The colors will be presented by
the 11th PA Volunteer Infantry Fife and Drum Corps. Other participants in
the day’s ceremonies include Janet Morgan Riggs, President of Gettysburg
College; David Klinepeter portraying Ward Hill Lamon, soloist Wayne Hill,
Rev. Stephen Herr, Pastor, Christ Lutheran Church. Finally, the emcee for
the event will be D. Scott Hartwig, Vice President of the Lincoln
Fellowship of Pennsylvania.
Immediately following the event at the rostrum, there will be the
U.S. Colored Troops Graveside Salute where Jim Getty will deliver remarks.
This will occur at the gravesite of Charles H. Parker, one of only two
African American soldiers buried in the National Cemetery.
That evening, events will continue at The Majestic Theater (35
Carlisle Street, Gettysburg) with the World Premiere of “For the People,” a
new Oratorio by Dr. John William Jones, Professor at the Sunderman
Conservatory of Music, Gettysburg College. The Premier will feature guest
narrator actor Stephen Lang, who has become known for work both on stage
and in films, including the movies “Gettysburg” and “Gods and Generals.”
Mr. Lang will star in three new films over the next year. This oratorio was
commissioned by the PA Lincoln Bicentennial Commission and will feature The
Spires Brass Band, Kathleen Sasnett, soprano, Jeffrey Fahnestock, tenor,
bass-baritone Roosevelt Credit, The Sunderman Conservatory Woodwind Octet,
and The Victorian Dance Ensemble.
Author Jeff Shaara will present the 11th Annual Michael Shaara Prize
for Civil War Fiction to Nick Taylor, author of The Disagreement (Simon and
Schuster, 2008). This novel tells the tale of a young Confederate doctor,
John Muro, and the trials he faces at a military hospital during the Civil
War.
Following the Shaara Prize, Michael Burlingame will deliver the 48th
Annual Fortenbaugh Memorial Lecture at 8:00 PM. Dr. Burlingame is
currently the Chancellor Naomi B. Lynn Distinguished Chair in Lincoln
Studies at the University of Illinois at Springfield, and his most recent
work is the two volume biography Abraham Lincoln: A Life (The Johns Hopkins
University Press, 2008). The topic of his lecture will be “Abraham
Lincoln: New Information, Fresh Perspectives.”
At the conclusion of the evening, the public is invited to attend a
reception with several scholars and authors including Jeff Shaara, Gabor
Boritt, Allen Guelzo, Stephen Lang, Michael Burlingame, and Nick Taylor.
DVDs and books will be on sale, and the public will have an opportunity to
obtain autographs.
All Dedication Day events have been coordinated by The Lincoln
Fellowship of Pennsylvania, the Civil War Institute at Gettysburg College,
the Gettysburg National Military Park, and the Pennsylvania Abraham Lincoln
Bicentennial Commission. In addition, they have been endorsed by the
National Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission.
Additional Events and Exhibits
Exhibits
November 2 –December 11, 2009:
Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History Exhibit “Free At Last: A
History of the Abolition of Slavery in America,” open daily at the Historic
Gettysburg Railroad Station.
Hunt Slonem’s “Blue Lincoln” Portrait: Historic Gettysburg Railroad
Station.
November 16-22, 2009:
The Lincoln Flag of the Pike County Historical Society Exhibit at the
Historic Gettysburg
Railroad Station.
The Historic Gettysburg Railroad Station, 35 Carlisle Street, Gettysburg,
is open daily 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Admission is free. For more
information, please call (717) 337-8233.
Events
2:00 p.m. -3:30 p.m. Dedication Day Reception
Lincoln Into Art, Contemporary Art Gallery, 329 Baltimore Street,
Gettysburg
Featuring the public Gettysburg premiere of “The Gettysburg Address:
Adagio” at 2:00 p.m.
“The Gettysburg Address: Adagio” is a lyrical piece of music written for a
baritone solo, piano accompaniment and snare drum. The composer, Rebecca
Gillan, followed Lincoln’s text closely, and used the rhythm of the text to
dictate the musical rhythms. The original musical work was inspired by
Abraham Lincoln’s original text and was commissioned by the Louisiana
Abraham Lincoln’s Bicentennial Commission and premiered on Oct. 26, 2008 in
Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
The reception and performance are free and open to the general public.
More info: Rebecca Gillan website, Stephen Rushing website.
2:00-5:00 p.m. Abraham Lincoln & Governor Curtin Meet & Greet
Come shake hands and meet President Abraham Lincoln and Pennsylvania
Governor Andrew Curtin.This event recreates the public meet & greet that
was held the evening of November 19, 1863 in which visitors were received
and were able to meet the President and Governor.
Cost: Free with admission Ages: All ages
The David Wills House, 8 Lincoln Square , Gettysburg, PA Phone: (866)
486-5735
Website: http://www.davidwillshouse.org/
4:00 p.m. “Gettysburg Addresses Lincoln”
After his address at the National Cemetery, President Lincoln traveled with
local patriot John Burns to the Gettysburg Presbyterian Church for a rally.
This free one-hour program will include a presentation “How Lincoln Came
to Be ‘Under God’ at Gettysburg “ by public historian, Dr. Charles Teague,
at the Gettysburg Presbyterian Church, 208 Baltimore Street in downtown
Gettysburg, just two blocks south of Lincoln Square.
2009 Dedication Day Events to feature Governor Edward G. Rendell
and Academy Award Winner Richard Dreyfuss
November 19, 2009
November 19, the anniversary of the Gettysburg Address, was formally
designated as Dedication Day, by a joint resolution of the U.S. Senate and
House of Representatives, on August 7, 1946. Through the efforts of
Congressman Todd R. Platts (PA-19) a 2009 resolution(HRes736) was
introduced and passed by unanimous vote of the House of Representatives on
Tuesday, November 3, 2009 . The Platts resolution is endorsed by the
National Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission and the Pennsylvania
Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission (PA ALBC). The PA ALBC was created
by an Executive Order from the office Governor Edward G. Rendell in June
2006. The resolution states in part “Whereas 2009 is the 200th
anniversary of the birth of Abraham Lincoln and bicentennial tributes to
his birth are expected throughout the United States: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives-- (1) honors President
Lincoln's greatest speech, the Gettysburg Address; …”
This November 19th, the 146th Anniversary of the Gettysburg Address
will be honored with numerous events in Gettysburg. The day will begin
with a 9:30 a.m. wreath laying ceremony at the Soldiers’ National Monument,
featuring the Gettysburg High School Ceremonial Brass Band. Wreaths will
be laid by Pennsylvania’s Governor, Edward G. Rendell, Richard Dreyfuss,
Brion FitzGerald, the Acting Superintendent of Gettysburg National Military
Park, and Frederick E. Clark, Commander of the Sons of Union Veterans of
the Civil War Gettysburg Camp #112. Following a brief procession of Civil
War reenactors along the upper drive, ceremonies will continue at 10:00
a.m. at the Rostrum, where Governor Rendell and Richard Dreyfuss will
deliver remarks. Of his participation at Dedication Day 2009, Mr.
Dreyfuss said "When President Lincoln spoke at Gettysburg, he was both
admired and reviled by the nation he was trying to save. It is altogether
fitting and proper that we should know him, not just the office he held.
And I am looking forward with enormous gratitude to the opportunity to
speak to these truths on November 19."
Musical performances by the “President’s Own” United States Marine
Band will be a highlight of the ceremony, and are particularly appropriate
given the fact that the U.S. Marine Band travelled with President Lincoln
in 1863 when he visited Gettysburg to deliver “a few appropriate remarks.”
The band was initially created through an Act of Congress in 1798, signed
by President John Adams, authorizing “…a drum major, a fife major, and 32
drums and fifes.” In July 1861, President Abraham Lincoln signed an Act of
Congress officially recognizing the band by legislation. Although Lincoln
was not a musician, he loved music. Some of his favorite songs were “Hail
Columbia,” “Happy Land,” “Barbara Allen,” and “Dixie.”
Another new addition this year is the Naturalization Ceremony by the
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Sixteen applicants will receive
the United States Oath of Citizenship. As usual, Jim Getty, portraying
President Abraham Lincoln, will recite the Gettysburg Address, as he has
done on Dedication Day for thirty years. The colors will be presented by
the 11th PA Volunteer Infantry Fife and Drum Corps. Other participants in
the day’s ceremonies include Janet Morgan Riggs, President of Gettysburg
College; David Klinepeter portraying Ward Hill Lamon, soloist Wayne Hill,
Rev. Stephen Herr, Pastor, Christ Lutheran Church. Finally, the emcee for
the event will be D. Scott Hartwig, Vice President of the Lincoln
Fellowship of Pennsylvania.
Immediately following the event at the rostrum, there will be the
U.S. Colored Troops Graveside Salute where Jim Getty will deliver remarks.
This will occur at the gravesite of Charles H. Parker, one of only two
African American soldiers buried in the National Cemetery.
That evening, events will continue at The Majestic Theater (35
Carlisle Street, Gettysburg) with the World Premiere of “For the People,” a
new Oratorio by Dr. John William Jones, Professor at the Sunderman
Conservatory of Music, Gettysburg College. The Premier will feature guest
narrator actor Stephen Lang, who has become known for work both on stage
and in films, including the movies “Gettysburg” and “Gods and Generals.”
Mr. Lang will star in three new films over the next year. This oratorio was
commissioned by the PA Lincoln Bicentennial Commission and will feature The
Spires Brass Band, Kathleen Sasnett, soprano, Jeffrey Fahnestock, tenor,
bass-baritone Roosevelt Credit, The Sunderman Conservatory Woodwind Octet,
and The Victorian Dance Ensemble.
Author Jeff Shaara will present the 11th Annual Michael Shaara Prize
for Civil War Fiction to Nick Taylor, author of The Disagreement (Simon and
Schuster, 2008). This novel tells the tale of a young Confederate doctor,
John Muro, and the trials he faces at a military hospital during the Civil
War.
Following the Shaara Prize, Michael Burlingame will deliver the 48th
Annual Fortenbaugh Memorial Lecture at 8:00 PM. Dr. Burlingame is
currently the Chancellor Naomi B. Lynn Distinguished Chair in Lincoln
Studies at the University of Illinois at Springfield, and his most recent
work is the two volume biography Abraham Lincoln: A Life (The Johns Hopkins
University Press, 2008). The topic of his lecture will be “Abraham
Lincoln: New Information, Fresh Perspectives.”
At the conclusion of the evening, the public is invited to attend a
reception with several scholars and authors including Jeff Shaara, Gabor
Boritt, Allen Guelzo, Stephen Lang, Michael Burlingame, and Nick Taylor.
DVDs and books will be on sale, and the public will have an opportunity to
obtain autographs.
All Dedication Day events have been coordinated by The Lincoln
Fellowship of Pennsylvania, the Civil War Institute at Gettysburg College,
the Gettysburg National Military Park, and the Pennsylvania Abraham Lincoln
Bicentennial Commission. In addition, they have been endorsed by the
National Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission.
Additional Events and Exhibits
Exhibits
November 2 –December 11, 2009:
Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History Exhibit “Free At Last: A
History of the Abolition of Slavery in America,” open daily at the Historic
Gettysburg Railroad Station.
Hunt Slonem’s “Blue Lincoln” Portrait: Historic Gettysburg Railroad
Station.
November 16-22, 2009:
The Lincoln Flag of the Pike County Historical Society Exhibit at the
Historic Gettysburg
Railroad Station.
The Historic Gettysburg Railroad Station, 35 Carlisle Street, Gettysburg,
is open daily 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Admission is free. For more
information, please call (717) 337-8233.
Events
2:00 p.m. -3:30 p.m. Dedication Day Reception
Lincoln Into Art, Contemporary Art Gallery, 329 Baltimore Street,
Gettysburg
Featuring the public Gettysburg premiere of “The Gettysburg Address:
Adagio” at 2:00 p.m.
“The Gettysburg Address: Adagio” is a lyrical piece of music written for a
baritone solo, piano accompaniment and snare drum. The composer, Rebecca
Gillan, followed Lincoln’s text closely, and used the rhythm of the text to
dictate the musical rhythms. The original musical work was inspired by
Abraham Lincoln’s original text and was commissioned by the Louisiana
Abraham Lincoln’s Bicentennial Commission and premiered on Oct. 26, 2008 in
Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
The reception and performance are free and open to the general public.
More info: Rebecca Gillan website, Stephen Rushing website.
2:00-5:00 p.m. Abraham Lincoln & Governor Curtin Meet & Greet
Come shake hands and meet President Abraham Lincoln and Pennsylvania
Governor Andrew Curtin.This event recreates the public meet & greet that
was held the evening of November 19, 1863 in which visitors were received
and were able to meet the President and Governor.
Cost: Free with admission Ages: All ages
The David Wills House, 8 Lincoln Square , Gettysburg, PA Phone: (866)
486-5735
Website: http://www.davidwillshouse.org/
4:00 p.m. “Gettysburg Addresses Lincoln”
After his address at the National Cemetery, President Lincoln traveled with
local patriot John Burns to the Gettysburg Presbyterian Church for a rally.
This free one-hour program will include a presentation “How Lincoln Came
to Be ‘Under God’ at Gettysburg “ by public historian, Dr. Charles Teague,
at the Gettysburg Presbyterian Church, 208 Baltimore Street in downtown
Gettysburg, just two blocks south of Lincoln Square.