Last week, I visited the New York Historical Society with a couple of friends. At the museum, I visited the Lincoln exhibit and the John Brown exhibit. I had never used my cultural passport to get into any museum free, this was my first time. It was quite amazing to have VIP like passes within my possession. Throughout my life, history was never a part of my interests, but I was clearly fascinated with some of the valuables that they had within the exhibits. As I walked into the Lincoln exhibit, there were quotes by Lincoln on the walls and a wall that was cut at the top to resemble buildings. Behind the wall was a map of New York (Manhattan) during the Lincoln era and the visits that he made in New York. As I looked at the map, I recognized the street names of Manhattan and was told that Baruch used to be named Free Academy, which was located on the map. It also gave the dates and places that Lincoln went to and the routes that he took to the places. Right next to the map, was a podium that Lincoln stood at during one of his speeches. I found it quite interesting because there was a crowd in front of the podium so it gave me the feeling that I was standing in front of that crowd speaking as if I were Lincoln. The podium was all worn out and looked just as it was supposed to, over 50 years old. While moving forward, another unique item on display, was the uniform of the first officer that was shot during the Civil War, Elmer Ellsworth. It was so real that it had the exact bullet hole near his heart with a blood stain near it that appears to have been washed.
The John Brown exhibit, which was located on the second floor, was a much smaller exhibit which didn't contain many appealing things. There were all notes and writings that were behind glass with quotes high above the displays in glass. One quote that stood out in my mind after the John Brown exhibit was "If John Brown did not end the war that ended slavery, he did at least begin the war that ended slavery." which had relation to Harper's Ferry.
Overall these two exhibits further enhanced my knowledge on the history of Abraham Lincoln and John Brown. It was quite the experience, even to a person who doesn't like history that much.