Lincoln chair tells a story beyond the assassination
Julie Hinds | Detroit Free Press Pop Culture Critic
Abraham Lincoln was probably in a good mood when he took his seat in a plush rocker at Ford's Theatre.
"That last day of his life was one of the happiest days he'd had in a long time, knowing the war was going well, having a long talk with Mary about what they might do after the presidency was over," said renowned historian and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Doris Kearns Goodwin.
But there would be no retirement, no chance to see the country through the post-Civil War era. The night of April 14, , during a performance of "Our American Cousin," John Wilkes Booth would gain access to the president's box, point a pistol at Lincoln's head and fire the shot that would take a great and good man's life the next morning.
On Monday, Goodwin will visit the Henry Ford in Dearborn for the first time. The author of "Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln" — the best seller adapted into Steven Spielberg's film "Lincoln" — is looking forward to seeing the Henry Ford Museum and, especially, its priceless objects that make the lives of icons seem real.
Ob
The Chair
It took longer for the chair in which he was assassinated to emerge as a symbol of Lincoln’s greatness and personal sacrifice. The comfortable parlor rocker had been placed in the theater box by the manager of Ford’s Theatre for Lincoln’s use that evening. After his assassination, enterprising photographers sold pictures of the chair to a public eager for images in an age before photojournalism. The chair was used as evidence in the trial of the conspirators. Then it languished in storage at the Smithsonian Institution for decades.
In , the chair was reclaimed by the widow of Ford’s Theatre co-owner Harry Ford, and was soon auctioned for $2, The buyer was an agent who purchased it for Henry Ford. At the time, Ford was collecting objects for his museum and historical village. According to Donna Braden, curator of public life at The Henry Ford, “Ford really revered Lincoln, all of the values of Lincoln, the humble, self-made man, the ordinary man who seized opportunity and raised himself up, all the things Henry Ford could relate to himself.”
Indeed, Ford admired this “pull yourself up by your bootstraps” mentality
What is the significance of the Lincoln Chair?
President Abraham Lincoln was sitting in this rocking chair during a production of the play Our American Cousin at Ford's Theatre in Washington, DC, when he was assassinated on April 14,
Who was the original manufacturer of the Lincoln Chair?
The rocking chair was part of a larger parlor set purchased by Harry Ford (no relation to Henry Ford), manager of Ford’s Theatre when the Theatre opened in The parlor set was used in a lounge area of the Theater. We do not know who originally manufactured the Lincoln Chair.
Why was President Lincoln seated in a rocking chair, as opposed to a regular chair? Was this common at the time, or was it a special request by President Lincoln?
The chair was usually placed in a lounge in Ford’s Theatre, and it was offered to President Lincoln when he first started frequenting the Theatre in He found the rocker comfortable, and whenever he attended a play, it was specially brought out for him.
How many of that style of chair were made, and how many may still be around?
The rocking chair is known, not ironica
Rocking Chair Used by Abraham Lincoln at Ford's Theater the Night of His Assassination, April 14,
President Abraham Lincoln was sitting in this rocking chair during a production of Our American Cousin at Ford's Theatre in Washington, D.C., when he was assassinated on April 14, Henry Ford purchased the chair in for the Museum, where it remains one of the most revered objects associated with the "man who saved the Union."
The Lincoln Assassination Chair History
Originally purchased as part of a parlor suite, the rocking chair was intended for use in a reception room in Ford's Theatre, which opened in The parlor suite was purchased by Harry Clay Ford (no relation to Henry Ford) manager of the Theatre. However, the comfortable rocking chair began to be used by ushers during their "down" time and the fabric became soiled by their hair oil. This stain is still visible on the back. Sometime in , Harry Ford had the chair moved to his apartment across the alley from the Theatre in a belated attempt to keep it clean.
Beginning with the Theatre's opening in , President Lincoln became a frequent visitor. At some point, Mr. Ford began to supply the president and his party with co
Biographies you may also like
Chairil anwar biography sample Although he died young, Chairil transformed the Indonesian literary scene through the intense imagery of his poetry and through his rebellious stance toward religion and social convention. Missing: sample.
Stochelo rosenberg biography of abraham lincoln Gypsy jazz guitarist Stochelo Rosenberg (born 19 February in Helmond, Netherlands) is the lead guitarist of the Rosenberg Trio. He started playing guitar when he was 13 and was taught Missing: abraham lincoln.
Edward james surrealism biography The eccentric British poet and landscape gardener Edward James was one of the most important patrons of Surrealist art in the twentieth century. He provided financial support to artists such .
Annabella thorne biography Name: Annabella Avery Thorne; Net Worth: $15,,; Occupation: Actress, Model, Singer, Dancer; Birthday: 8th October ; Place of Birth: Pembroke Pines, Florida; .
Shamon antrum biography of rory gilmore To commemorate my finishing Gilmore Girls, I wanted to post her high school graduation speech which was delivered on the last episode of the third season. I think it is the Missing: shamon antrum.
6abc rick williams salary finder Rick Williams Salary Rick Williams’s salary is $, per year, and he gets a monthly salary of $8, He is an American news anchor and reporter working for 6abc.
John lockes views on life 1. Historical Background and Locke’s Life. John Locke (–) was one of the greatest philosophers in Europe at the end of the seventeenth century. Locke grew up and .