Lincoln Scholar's Collection On Display

In July of 1952, a 14-year-old boy named Ronald Rietveld made the discovery of a lifetime. While searching through papers of Abraham Lincoln's secretaries (John Hay and John Nicolay), he stumbled upon a photo of Abraham Lincoln in death. Lincoln's family felt that any photos of Lincoln in death were in poor taste and ordered them destroyed. Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton agreed, but inexplicably kept this one photo, taken in New York City on April 24, 1865. The photo was a sensation when it was first published in Life magazine. It is the only known photo of Lincoln in death. Rietveld was granted special access to the papers thanks to his unusual interest and depth of knowledge of Lincoln. He was known to Lincoln scholars thanks to his writing numerous letters inquiring about the president and his life. A more detailed recounting of his find is located here.

Mr. Rietveld is still living and is now 71 years old. Along the way he achieved his doctorate in History. He has continued his lifelong fascination with everything Lincoln (I can certainly relate) and has collected various Lincoln items through the years. His collection is going on public display for the first time, in his hometown of Pella, Iowa. Some of the items Rietveld has collected include a log cabin lapel pin which Lincoln is said to have worn; a pile of dirt from Lincoln's birthplace; and a piece of a wreath which was on Lincoln's coffin.

The Des Moines (Iowa) Register has a nice article about Rietveld and the exhibit. He's providing a great service by sharing his Lincoln items. The photo below is of Mr. Rietveld with one of his items.

The Abraham Lincoln Maze

People have long accused me of getting lost in all things related to Mr. Lincoln, be it in my books, stories, studies, or in my blogging. Now here is everyone's chance to *literally* become lost with Lincoln, or should I say, lost IN Lincoln?

Every year at this time, a farmer in Lexington, Kentucky sets up a maze in his cornfield. This year, John Kelley chose to do his maze with the image of the nation's 16th president. With the publicity associated with the bicentennial of Lincoln's birth next year, Mr. Kelley thought this would be an obvious choice, especially since Lincoln was born in the Bluegrass State.

The maze was professionally designed by a company from Utah, but Mr. Kelley did the work with a large mower. The maze covers an amazing 8.7 acres! In fact, it's so big that the only way to see the entire image is from the air. Note the houses at the top of the photo for some perspective. Very impressive. Visitors are welcome to wind their way through the maze for a small fee. And yes, some folks do get lost and have to be "rescued."

To read more about the maze, you may click here, which is an article from the Lexington (Kentucky) Herald-Leader newspaper.

Lincoln Bicentennial Cents Unveiled

Earlier this week, the United States Mint unveiled the final designs for the new one cent coins being released next year to celebrate the bicentennial of Abraham Lincoln. There will be a total of four newly designed coins, the reverse of each showing a different stage of Lincoln's life. The first depicts the famous log cabin of his birth. The second shows a young Lincoln taking a break from log splitting in order to read. The third coin is a representation of Lincoln as an Illinois legislator, showing him standing in front of the State Capitol Building (which still stands) in Springfield, Illinois. The last coin in the series depicts the U.S. Capitol building with an unfinished dome, which is as it appeared during Lincoln's presidency. The obverse (i.e. "front") of each cent will remain the current design of Lincoln's profile.

I'd like to thank my friend, Christy, for alerting me to the news. Christy is also a blogger, and I'd highly recommend her "Mystic Chords Of Memory" blog which may be found here. It's an outstanding first-person account of her travels of historical sites around the U.S. The site also includes reviews and wonderful photos.

Christy also found another design for the new Lincoln cent series. Unfortunately, it didn't make the final cut. Too bad, because I think Lincoln would've made an excellent surfing dude.

Sustainable Furniture For Your Desert Home

With more consciousness about green products and sustainable business entering mainstream products, more clients are demanding more products for the interior of their homes besides wallpaper and paint. More furniture designers are making furniture from sustainable, renewable, and repurposed materials. As interior designers in the desert who are always looking for ways to put cutting-edge items in your home, here are some fine examples of what is available in the market:

Sustainable design is executed in stunning style with the beautiful Girado chair. Created by Team 7 in conjunction with the Batineau Design Group, the elegant chair has an elegant sculptural profile that belies its sustainable origins.

With a rounded back crafted from a choice of sustainable hardwoods or lush leather, the chair can be customized for any environment. Sustainable wood choices range from dark walnut to a lovely light maple, finished off with a timeless leather seat. Even the frame can be customized, with a choice of three very different shapes.

Batineau uses sustainable production methods and materials, producing beautiful non-toxic, solid wood furniture. The materials used by the design group are both natural and sustainable, contributing to a healthier home.

Team 7 is certified as an environmentally friendly manufacturer, using sustainably harvested hardwood that comes from a reforested European forest. Products are finished with natural herbal oils and waxes. Their green practices qualify them for great green design, even before one sees their actual eco-friendly furniture.

Urban Woods makes sustainable furniture from reclaimed wood, eco-friendly materials and environmentally conscious manufacturing processes. The distinct beauty of reclaimed wood, finished with rich water based, non-toxic stains, is preserved in modern handmade furniture that is made in Los Angeles, California. Their exclusive use of vintage reclaimed wood has many advantages; the grain of the timber with its tight growth rings shows the superior density of the wood from ancient trees, and the natural, aged patina and color of the old-growth timber is preserved in the manufacturing process, giving the furniture a look and feel that can not be replicated in new wood. Much of the reclaimed wood was originally harvested and milled 50 to 100 years ago, and has been seasoned in sunny Southern California for decades, giving the wood unparalleled stability and resistance to future distortion or structural movement. At Urban Woods we strive to make beautiful, eco-friendly furniture in the most sustainable way. They do not use tropical hardwoods which harm the rain forest to harvest, MDF, particle board nor toxic glues.

Acronym Designs have produced a range of unique designs that use a variety of materials and manufacturing processes. With a blend of natural and high tech materials, their furniture has modern appeal with classic sensibility. Whenever possible, they "use materials that are sustainable, renewable, reclaimed, or recycled," which includes FSC-certified wood and veneers, Lyptus (plantation-grown), or reclaimed African Mahogany.

Follow Up: Lincoln Letter Thief Sentenced

Back on May 21, 2008 I posted a story about a thief who stole two letters written by George Washington and one letter written by Abraham Lincoln from the association he headed. Edward Renehan, the former head of the Theodore Roosevelt Association, admitted earlier this year that he took the priceless letters and sold them for $97,000 to a gallery. The letters originally belonged to Theodore Roosevelt.

Now Mr. Renehan has been served his justice. According to this article, Renehan was sentenced this past Friday (September 19, 2008) to 18 months in federal prison for his crime. Renehan pleaded for leniency, claiming he is bi-polar and committed his crime while in the midst of a manic episode. Perhaps. He had faced up to 10 years in prison, so the judge did cut him a bit of a break. Renehan has also been ordered to repay the money he received from the sale of the letters.

Fortunately, federal officials have recovered the documents and will be returned to the Theodore Roosevelt Association.

Second Home, Second Everything: The Art Of Interior Design for Luxury Homes

Palm Desert, California-based interior designer William Miller has spent more than 20 years in the Southern California Desert planning, designing, furnishing, and accessorizing luxury second and third homes for his high-end clientele. An emerging interior design trend among these 2-million-dollar-plus homeowners is the demand for the interior designer to find relaztion through duplicity.

A second home is a second change for homeowners to rethink their priorities in a living environment. It turns out that for many in the luxury market, an individuals’ idea of indulgence stems from personal retreats, open spaces, and decadent amenities of their very own: custom closets (each tailored to individual needs) the sunken tub for her and the mega shower jets for him, the plasma TV, sports bar, and chef’s grill for him, the trickling fountain, espresso station, and Zen courtyard for her, and separate kitchens for each, both indoor and out.

Sophisticated homeowners have moved beyond requests for his-and-hers sinks. Large his-and-hers closets as well as dressing areas are tailored to individual wardrobe needs; separate toilet rooms, walk-in showers, oversized tubs and separate sink areas with granite counter tops, etched glass and custom tile. These are elements that customers want in the luxury home market.

The master bedroom suite is the refuge for the homeowner. It is, simply put, more than a bedroom and becomes a quiet, luxurious escape from children, guests, and social obligation. A place to regroup and spend quiet times alone at the beginning and end of each day. Female clients typically want to spend their dollars on the luxurious feel of quality fabrics for custom bedding, wallcoverings, and down-filled furniture; men go for large walk-in showers with rain dome shower heads and multiple body wash sprays. Both sexes enjoy having their own separate spaces within one large shared space, which William Miller refers to as “independence through togetherness.”

Outdoor spaces are important for entertaining in California because so many activities are focused around the outdoors. “My clients live outdoors more than indoors, that’s why outdoor living rooms, kitchens, and dining areas are important elements.”

Value is found per square foot in covered outdoor rooms that are essential to today’s increasing luxury second home market. In new construction, these outdoor rooms are often the emphasis of the home and all design and planning begin in these areas.

Outdoor fireplaces as well as multimedia entertainment centers are standard fare in these luxury second homes as well as comfortable seating, outdoor kitchens and full-service bars.

Couples come together with their ideas about their great room. A comfortable great room or family room that is close to the kitchen and equipped with state-of-the-art multimedia entertainment systems. These great rooms are spaces that are casual enough for extended family entertaining, but elegant enough for more formal cocktail or dinner gatherings.

Lincoln Flatboat Hits Some Rough Waters

As many of you know, Abraham Lincoln's flatboat trip down the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers is being re-enacted, with the official journey under way just this past week. Seems as if the boat and crew encountered some very rough waters over the weekend from the remnants of Hurricane Ike and had to have some emergency repairs.

According to this article, the flatboat was buffeted by seven foot swells and huge waves on the Ohio River as it journeyed from Elizabethtown, Illinois to Paducha, Kentucky. The crew needed to fix some damage to the cabin in order to make the boat safe for continued travel. Thankfully, no one was injured in the storm.

The flatboat is apparently still on schedule. You may find updates to the schedule at the main site for the recreation of Lincoln's journey here.

Buy A Calendar If You Can't Visit Abe

I've posted quite a few stories about how various Lincoln historic sites in Illinois are partially closed thanks to budget cuts. But the sites will be fully open in the spring thanks to money coming from the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission of Illinois.

In the meantime, you can at least buy a calendar all about Abe from the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency. The calendar consists of reproductions of 12 different portraits of Lincoln. The calendar costs just $7.00 and is available from this website.

Update: Illinois Lincoln Sites Fully Open In 2009

Recent posts in this blog have strongly criticized the state of Illinois for partially closing some of its most famous sites related to Abraham Lincoln. As of this writing, Lincoln's Tomb, New Salem, The Old State Capitol, and The Lincoln-Herndon Law Offices are operating on reduced schedules. A budget battle between the governor and state legislature has caused the closures. This has caused a huge outcry from Lincoln fans and tourists who were angered to find that vacation plans had been ruined.

Some of this will be rectified in the spring of 2009, thanks to funding from the Illinois Lincoln Bicentennial Commission. Although I can't find specific dates of the resumption of full schedules, Lincoln's Tomb, New Salem, and The Old State Capitol will be open 7 days a week once more starting in spring 2009. No mention was made of the law offices.

This is welcome news. However, it remains to be seen how long the $300,000 from the Commission will fund the sites. I'll keep my readers updated as I find more information.

What Kind of a Mood Are You Living In?

Interior design in the desert is important because the color in our environment can have an effect on how we feel mentally as well as physically. Historically, some cultures have used color to heal- such as the ancient Egyptians and the Native Americans. When choosing colors for your home interior, keep in mind the feelings that are associated with each color- you may inadvertently have the opposite affect that you wish to create with the décor of your rooms. Too many colors can make a room look busy, and in fact, confuse or agitate the people in the room. First, determine: what mood do I want to create with my interior designer, and colors can my interior designer help me select to achieve that mood?

Black is the absence of light and color. It represents sexuality, sophistication, formality, elegance, wealth, mystery, and style.

Green represents health, luck, renewal, youth, vitality, fertility, and nature. Rooms that are green or yellow create happy moods, and are ideal colors for playrooms or children’s rooms. The cool quality of these colors soothes and calm.

Red is a color that demands attention. It is the warmest and most energetic color in the spectrum. Red is always associated with love, danger, desire, and strength. Red can affect blood pressure and make heart rates increase. This color, along with violet/purples can boost energy levels by causing the body to create more adrenaline. These colors can be best used in home offices, entry halls, sitting rooms, and staircases. They should be avoided in bedrooms and bathrooms, where relaxation is key, as well as the kitchen and dining areas, because these colors can boost your appetite. Inspired but not wired is the key here- a red leather magazine caddy or bouquet of red flowers is best. An interior designer can help with this sort of choice in your home.

Brown is a solid, reliable color, found in earth and abundant in nature. Light brown implies sincerity, genuineness, and dependability. Choosing brown for a home interior promotes warm feelings and an inviting atmosphere.

Blue is calm, soothing color, the color of the sea and sky. People faced with difficult tasks feel less anxious when surrounded by the color blue. Blue can be used more liberally than any other color in a room where you would like to feel less stressed.

Abe Returns to Republican Convention

Is this really a reincarnation of Abraham Lincoln who showed up at this week's Republican National Convention? Perhaps, perhaps not. The Missouri delegate, George Engelbach, looks more like Lincoln than do most Lincoln portrayers. Pretty uncanny resemblance. Even his nose is right.

No profound statements here. Just a photo of a guy who looks like Abe.