Pamela and John Voehl of Colorado will portray Mary Todd Lincoln and President Abraham Lincoln on July 2 to commemorate the 161st Anniversary of the Civil War. Submitted photo
OXFORD — John Voehl of Colorado, a nationally recognized Lincoln historian, and his wife will present “The 161st Anniversary of the Civil War with a Living History of Abraham and Mary Lincoln and Other Civil War Storytellers” on July 2.
In addition to commemorating the anniversary of the start of the war on April 12, 1861, the Oxford Historical Society and Anderson Staples American Legion Post 112 have invited historical interpreters from the Norlands Living History Center in Livermore.
The society and Legion are hosting the free daylong presentations at the Legion hall at 112 King St., starting at 10 a.m.
“The historical society wants to bring back community” in a way that celebrates history, board President Patricia Larrivee said. “We had the idea of using history to do it, and the American Legion in Oxford agreed to partner with us.”
Voehl has traveled the country portraying the 16th president at schools, senior communities, museums, civic, historic and corporate sites. His wife, Pamela, joins him for segments on Lincoln’s personal life, portraying Mary Todd Lincoln.
Willie Irish, a historical interpreter at the Norlands Living History Center in Livermore, will present the life of a town pauper July 2 at the Anderson Staples American Legion Post 112 in Oxford. Submitted photo
In the first of three presentations, Voehl will speak about some of Lincoln’s most accomplished statements: his speech as president-elect at Independence Hall in Philadelphia en route to Washington, D.C. and the Gettysburg Address, his masterful, moments-long speech in November 1863 that outlined why it was necessary not just to preserve the United States of America but also to gain freedom and equality for all in order to realize the revolutionary ideals stated in the Declaration of Independence.
Later in the day, Voehl will share ways that President Lincoln managed the war effort, explaining his decisions leading up to the tide-turning Battle of Gettysburg and his reliance on spirituality as America’s executive in chief.
Finally, Pamela will join her husband for the segment “Log Cabin to the White House,” talking about their respective experiences, learning and the course that led them from Springfield to Washington.
Willi Irish, Norlands Living History Center’s director of interpretation, will portray 19th century Livermore Falls pauper Mercy Lovejoy, the woman who found herself an inmate of the town farm after her 10 children abandoned her.
Tizz Crowley of Auburn, also a historical interpreter with Norlands, will present the story of Dr. Elizabeth Kingman Horr, a Maine physician of the 19th century with ties to Oxford Hills.
Tizz Crowley of Auburn, a historical interpreter at the Norland Living History Center in Livermore, will portray Dr. Elizabeth Kingman Horr, a pioneering female physician of the 19th century, July 2 at the Anderson Staples American Legion Post 112 in Oxford. Submitted photo
Crowley’s portrayal will focus on Kingman Horr’s experiences when her husband, Dr. Oren Horr, served as an assistant surgeon with the 114th United States Negro Regiment in Texas during the Civil War.
Crowley’s portrayal will focus on Kingman Horr’s experiences when her husband, Dr. Oren Horr, served as an assistant surgeon with the 114th United States Negro Regiment in Texas during the Civil War.
Legion members will open their kitchen for lunch and sell hot dogs and hamburgers.
Following the historical presentations, a social hour with pies from Valley View Orchard Pies, coffee and tea will be served. Attendees may offer donations or purchase pies.
Donations made or memberships to the society will be gratefully accepted.
For more information, email the society at oxfordhistoricalsocietykayhouse@gmail.com.
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