Abraham Lincoln Library and Museum, Harrogate, Tennessee

Everyone knows about the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield, Illinois, but there is another Abraham Lincoln Library and Museum. This one is in Harrogate, Tennessee in the campus of Lincoln Memorial University. And I spent the day there. It was an incredible experience.

Generally the visitors pay a very reasonable entrance fee, but I was met at the door by the Director, Michael Lynch, and the Assistant Director/Curator, Steven Wilson. After a quick tour around the museum (which is undergoing both short and long term remodeling) they led me into the vault. Yes, the vault. This is where the original letters, books, and other original materials are kept. If that isn’t enough, there is a second vault upstairs.

I was lucky enough to hold a small see-through container holding a lock of Abraham Lincoln’s hair, as well as a necklace holding the hair of Mary Lincoln and a locket holding young Willie Lincoln’s hair. I also got to touch letters to and from other major players in the Civil War.

Then it was time for work. Michael brought in a large binder holding many original documents related to John Worden, commander of the USS Monitor ironclad famous for the battle with the CSS Virginia (formerly USS Merrimack). Among the many treasures was a handwritten letter by Worden discussing Lincoln’s visit to him as he recuperated following the injuries he sustained in the Monitor/Merrimack battle. Perfect for my next book.

I also got to go through several volumes of an incredible set of scrapbooks put together by John Brown. They include thousands of original photographs, tickets, CDVs, advertisements, and so much more. Oh, and in order to find any particular one I used a prehistoric Google device once known as a “card catalogue.” Yes, these things still exist.

Thanks again to Michael Lynch and Steven Wilson (who was also kind enough to give me a copy of his recent presentation on Lincoln and Technology). It will take me a while to go through all the photos I took and the data I collected. Something for me to do once I finish my trip. As you read this I’ve already moved on to the next piece of my adventure.

David J. Kent is the author of Lincoln: The Man Who Saved America, in Barnes and Noble stores now. His previous books include Tesla: The Wizard of Electricity (2013) and Edison: The Inventor of the Modern World (2016) and two e-books: Nikola Tesla: Renewable Energy Ahead of Its Time and Abraham Lincoln and Nikola Tesla: Connected by Fate.

Check out my Goodreads author page. While you’re at it, “Like” my Facebook author page for more updates!