The Burlington County Library System is presenting the “Looking at Lincoln” traveling panel exhibition now on display at the county library in Westampton.
Developed by the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, the exhibit explores the Civil War and issues of slavery from the standpoint of political cartoons that originally appeared in newspapers and were sold individually as prints in shops, on streets corners and by mail.
Vividly biting, the cartoons invite us to look at events through the eyes of people living in the era.
As Americans continue to debate the legacy of slavery, they provide an historical point of reference for current events. Highlights include cartoons relating to the election of 1860, as well as a California printing of the Emancipation Proclamation signed by Abraham Lincoln.
The Gilder Lehrman Institute has been developing traveling panel exhibitions for display at schools, libraries and historic sites since 1997. Composed of interlocking panels with graphic reproductions of rare documents, images and interpretive text, these exhibits circulate nationwide. The “Looking at Lincoln” exhibit will remain on display at the county library until July 17.
In addition, BCLS has augmented the presentation in the library’s exhibit room with artwork focusing on the Civil War on loan from the collection of Bruce Sirak of Burlington Township.
The Burlington County Library is located at 5 Pioneer Boulevard off Woodlane Road in Westampton.
