Entertainment in Lincoln's Springfield
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Entertainment in Lincoln’s Springfield (1834-1860) East Side of the Public Square: Circa 1860. Cook’s Hall is the third building from the right. After the February 13, 1858 fire, the east side was rebuilt with four, three-story brick buildings. One of them housed a large public hall on the second floor. It came to be known as Cook’s Hall and was a popular place for public gatherings, theatrical performances, balls and parties, and drills of the Springfield Grays. Spring Creek Series Richard E. Hart The Abraham Lincoln Association I hope that readers will find this interesting, fun, and helpful in filling in the details of the environment that Abraham Lincoln experienced in his 24-year Springfield residency. I have enjoyed preparing this glimpse and as always have been amazed at what I find in Lincoln’s Springfield when examined. I am a strong believer that the minutiae of local history matters, particularly in helping us understand the world around those who acted on the larger stage of history. Journal, Thursday, June 17, 1858. Entertainment in Lincoln’s Springfield Table of Contents Table of Contents Table of Contents .................................................................................................................................................................................... i Introduction ........................................................................................................................................................................................ viii Entertainment Venues ........................................................................................................................................................................... x The Lyceum Movement...................................................................................................................................................................... xiii 1834 ......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 1 The Sangamon County Lyceum: Discussion ............................................................................................................................... 1 The Sangamon County Lyceum: Lecture by Henry E. Dummer .................................................................................................. 1 The Sangamon County Lyceum: Debate ..................................................................................................................................... 2 The Sangamon County Lyceum: Lecture by E. Phillips .............................................................................................................. 2 The Sangamon County Lyceum: Lecture by Rev. John G. Bergen .............................................................................................. 2 The Sangamon County Lyceum: Debate ..................................................................................................................................... 3 The Sangamon County Lyceum: Debate ..................................................................................................................................... 3 ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... 3 1835 ......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 4 The Sangamon County Lyceum: Lecture by Dr. Knapp .............................................................................................................. 4 The Sangamon County Lyceum: Lecture by Dr. Knapp .............................................................................................................. 4 The Juvenile Temperance Society: Address by Rev. John G. Bergen .......................................................................................... 4 The Springfield Chess Club ......................................................................................................................................................... 4 The Sangamon County Lyceum: Lecture by Dr. Anson G. Henry ............................................................................................... 5 The Sangamon County Lyceum: Resolution Regarding Temperaments ...................................................................................... 6 The Sangamon County Lyceum: Lectures by Dr. Knapp and Dr. Merryman .............................................................................. 6 The Sangamon County Lyceum: Lecture by Dr. Matheny ........................................................................................................... 7 The Sangamon County Lyceum: Discussion Regarding Phrenology ........................................................................................... 7 The Sangamon County Lyceum: Lecture on the Heart and Botany ............................................................................................. 7 The Sangamon County Lyceum: Lecture by Dr. Elias H. Merryman .......................................................................................... 7 The Sangamon County Lyceum: Lecture by Dr. Anson G. Henry ............................................................................................... 7 ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... 7 The Sangamon County Lyceum: Lectures by Doctors Knapp and Merryman ............................................................................. 8 July 4th Celebration Planning ....................................................................................................................................................... 8 The Sangamon County Lyceum: Lecture by Dr. Matheny ........................................................................................................... 8 The Sangamon County Lyceum: Lecture by Dr. Merryman ........................................................................................................ 9 The Sangamon County Lyceum: Lecture on Illinois Twenty Years Hence .................................................................................. 9 The Sangamon County Lyceum: Publication of Lecture by Dr. Anson G. Henry ........................................................................ 9 1835 Venues ................................................................................................................................................................................ 9 1836 ....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 10 The Young Men’s Lyceum: Lecture by Milton Hay .................................................................................................................. 10 The Sangamon County Lyceum: Lecture by Dr. Elias H. Merryman ........................................................................................ 10 The Young Men’s Lyceum: Lecture by Rev. H. Crews ............................................................................................................. 11 The Sangamon County Lyceum: Winter Planning Meeting ....................................................................................................... 11 Springfield Thespian Society: Meeting of Supporters................................................................................................................ 11 The Sangamon County Lyceum: Lecture by Dr. Anson G. Henry ............................................................................................. 11 The Young Men’s Lyceum: Discussion ..................................................................................................................................... 12 Springfield Thespian Society: Plays .......................................................................................................................................... 12 The Young Men’s Lyceum: Lecture by Dr. Anson G. Henry .................................................................................................... 12 Springfield Thespian Society: Plays .......................................................................................................................................... 13 1836 Venues .............................................................................................................................................................................. 13 1837 ....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 14 Springfield Thespian Society: Comedic Play ............................................................................................................................. 14 Springfield Thespian Society: Domestic Drama Plays ............................................................................................................... 14 Springfield Thespian Society: Domestic Drama Play ...............................................................................................................