Walking, talking history

Daily Reporter Staff

Parker Museum's Living History Day is scheduled from 1-4 p.m. on Sunday June 10 at 300 E. Third St. in Spencer during Spencer's Flagfest celebration.

The afternoon will include an Abe Lincoln impersonator, Bryce Stenzel of Janesville, Minn.; Union soldier re-enactor Jerry Fastenow of Spirit Lake; period music by local musician Chad Elliot joined by Charles James; and a battle flag program presented by Sheila Hanke and Laura Ramirez from the State Historical Society of Iowa.

Parker Museum's Civil War collection will be augmented with the private collection of David Kruse. In addition, Marilyn Meyer will be teaching lessons in the Schoolroom, Connie Elg will be demonstrating hand-hooked rug making, and there will be a pie baking demonstration in the museum's kitchen.

Abraham Lincoln served as U.S. President through the four years of the Civil War. He did not have an opportunity to visit the northwest Iowa frontier where many returning Union soldiers took advantage of the government's offer to settle 80-acre homesteads. Now, 142 years after the end of this conflict between the States, Parker Museum is hosting Abe Lincoln (Stenzel) at this year's Living History Day. He will be presenting the Gettysburg Address and other speeches throughout the afternoon.

Stenzel, who delivered the Gettysburg Address this Memorial Day at cemetaries around his hometown of Janesville, Minn., said he has been doing gigs as an Abe Lincoln impersonator for years. He identified his great great grandfather, who fought in the Civil War, and his father as influences on his interest in Lincoln.

"I've been interested in Lincoln since I was five years old," he said. "My dad was in WWII and he instilled this kind of patriotism in me and [Lincoln] was the figure I picked up on."

He added that he is excited to meet new people while spreading Lincoln's message that "democracy is for everybody."

Stenzel will work with Union soldier re-enactor Fastenow of Spirit Lake. Together they will tell stories about Lincoln's life, his assassination and a soldier who guarded the grave in Springfield.

Those people in attendance will also have the opportunity to learn about a restoration program being done with Civil War battle flags from Iowa's infantry, artillery, cavalry and African American units, along with captured Confederate flags. The fabrics in these flags, which were placed in display cases around the rotunda at the state Capitol, gradually began to weaken over the years until 1998 when a grassroots committee gained funding for a battle flag preservation project.

By 2000, funds had been secured and preservation of the flags was started at the State Historical Society of Iowa. Hanke and Ramirez are Project Staff involved in research, preservation and education connected with the Iowa Civil War Battle Flag project. They will share hands-on activities and information about this important preservation project.  

Civilian blacksmith's were also an integral part of the Civil War, traveling on the supply trains of both the Union and Confederate soldiers and contributing to the war effort by making tent stakes, cannon balls, and repairing and maintaining carriages and armaments. Blacksmith Wally Hunter of Windom, Minn. will be firing up Parker Museum's forge to demonstrate the methods used by these blacksmiths.

Other activities will include Parker Museum tours featuring items from the museum's Civil War collection and private collector, David Kruse.  A handmade 37-star flag used during Spencer's 1871 4th of July celebration held at the site of the old Lincoln school (present Clay County Administration Building) will also be on exhibit courtesy of the Clay County Courthouse. Hook rug making will be demonstrated by Connie Elg and lessons will be taught in the Schoolroom by Marilyn Meyer. Home baked pie, homemade ice cream and lemonade will also be available.  All this and more is included in the admission fee.

The event will be supported in part by a Renaissance Initiative grant award funded by the One Percent Local Option Sales Tax. According to Parker Museum director Cindy McGranahan, the grant will cover the expenses for the Abe Lincoln impersonator, the blacksmith, the battle flag program and the musicians.

"What the renaissance initiative grant is allowing us to do is bring in talent above and beyond what we can offer on our own budget," McGranahan said. "It's allowing us to do a better program for the public."

McGranahan, who has served as the director of Parker Museum since 2001, added that she is excited for the wide array of events that are scheduled and looks forward to a successful event.

"I'm excited that we've put together kind of a package deal about the civil war and we can provide this opportunity for families to come and enjoy the day," she said. "It's fun and it's learning in a casual environment."

Admission to the museum grounds on Sunday, June 10 will be $5 for adults and $3 for children 5-12 years, 4 and under are free or a family admission of $15. Admission includes museum tours, demonstrators, pie, ice cream and lemonade.

* For more information about Living History Day or Parker Museum contact McGranahan at 262-3304 or parkermuseum@evertek.net.