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Abraham Lincoln Hearse Viewing

Blue Ox Millworks

The re-creation of the Lincoln Hearse, which has been in production for the past nine months at the Blue Ox School for Veterans, will be available for public viewing during a free Open House on Saturday the 14th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Monday the 16th from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Blue Ox Historic Park, located at 1st and X Streets in Eureka. The Hearse will be the centerpiece during the 150th anniversary commemorative ceremonies to be held in Springfield, Illinois May 1-3, 2015. www.LincolnFuneralCoalition.org The event, which was featured in the Boston Globe recently, is expected to bring 250,000 people to Springfield, including thousands of historic re-enactors, wanting to honor one of America’s greatest presidents. The Blue Ox Veterans under the direction of Eric Hollenbeck, who is himself a Vietnam Veteran, have been working from the only known photograph as the original hearse that carried President Lincoln for the final leg of his national funeral procession was lost in a livery fire. They have been re-creating original molds for all the decorative details which are cast in aluminum then gold and silver leafed by Charles Ellsworth and Lynnie Horrigan of All Points Signs. The hearse’s wooden frame and chamber are finished in maple. The veterans, who have served our country in Iraq and Afghanistan among other places, have found a sense of peace and of healing by working on this project. “It’s my church here,” says Mercedes Cangas. “My children’s children will be able to see this hearse and say ‘My daddy worked on this’,” says Andrew Olufsen. “It is an honor that I, the Veterans and my staff have been able to participate in this re-creation of our nation’s history. Lincoln was one of this country’s greatest men and he is revered throughout the world,” says Eric Hollenbeck. On Tuesday, February 17th, the hearse will be transported to Tombstone Arizona where builder and Vietnam Veteran Jack G. Feather, of Tombstone Hearse and Trike Company, will assemble the chassis, paint the hearse and finish the interior. Jay Jones, of Custom Wagons, has fabricated the rolling chassis and is a Vietnam Veteran as well. After the event the elaborate hearse will be in the custodial care of the Staab Family Livery and will be on display at the Lincoln Library and Museum. The Blue Ox Veterans Program is part of the newly formed non-profit, Blue Ox Historic Village and School. Donations to the program can be made directly to Blue Ox or via the Indiegogo site, which can be linked at www.blueoxmill.com For further information please call 444-3437. Boston Globe Article Link: http://www.bostonglobe.com/lifestyle/travel/2015/02/07/honoring-abraham-lincoln-with-funeral-again/VNUbx0HqP5mSQgy7P2N80J/story.html

DATES/TIMES

WHERE

• Blue Ox Millworks

PRICE

• Free