Below is a letter from Kentucky Board of Education Chair Joe Brothers and me encouraging all schools to participate in the Lincoln bicentennial commemoration. The letter also offers a link to the Kentucky Lincoln Commissioner’s Web site to assist you and a source for materials that teachers can access at the state fair. This letter is going to all local board of education chairs, superintendents and principals.
July 11, 2008
Dear Local Board of Education Chairs, Superintendents and Principals:
Kentucky has the unique honor of being the birthplace of Abraham Lincoln, one of our nation’s greatest presidents. We would like to encourage all schools to play a role in the Lincoln bicentennial commemoration, which began this February and will continue through February 2010.
In addition to the many educational aspects of the Lincoln legacy, there are numerous events planned in communities across the Commonwealth that may be of interest to your students. Kentucky is currently gearing up for several major Lincoln-related events on and around February 12, 2009, the actual bicentennial of Lincoln’s birth near Hodgenville, Kentucky.
For a complete listing of Lincoln events taking place this summer and fall, visit the Kentucky Lincoln Commission’s Web site at www.kylincoln.org and click on the calendar of events.
You may also be interested to know that the Kentucky Historical Society is planning an 8,000 square foot “Kentucky’s Lincoln Experience” this year at the Kentucky State Fair. If your school is considering a field trip to the fair in August, please encourage your students to stop by South Wing B of the Exposition Center for an in-depth Lincoln experience, including a mobile exhibit and an introduction to all of Kentucky’s Lincoln sites. We understand that teacher materials are available for this educational area.
We hope you’ll take the time during this bicentennial commemoration to encourage your district’s teachers and students to plan special Lincoln-related events or outings. It’s important that we, as Kentuckians, recognize the contributions of one of our greatest native sons.
Sincerely,
Joe Brothers, Chair Jon E. Draud, Commissioner
Kentucky Board of Education Kentucky Department of Education