LINCOLN’S BOYHOOD HOME DEDICATION CEREMONY!
Most folks know that Abraham Lincoln was born in Kentucky, but not as many are aware that from ages two to eight-years-old, he moved a few miles away to the Knob Creek Farm. Lincoln said that, “my first recollections were of the Knob Creek Place”, and it was here that Lincoln no doubt developed his personality and opinions that would guide his life forever.
As with most properties, the Lincoln’s Knob Creek Farm passed through many owners until it was purchased by the Howard Family almost a century ago. The Howards cut trees from the property and hand hewn them to be used in what they would refer to as, “The Tavern”. They also moved the logs from the Gollaher house to be used as the cabin on display at the site. Austin Gollaher was a boyhood friend of Lincoln and once saved young Abe from drowning. The Tavern was used at a dance hall and a bar until LaRue County voted to go dry. From then on, the building was used as a visitor’s center until recent times when it was sold to the United States Government, which turned it into a National Park under the jurisdiction of the Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park.
The National Park Service spent many years revamping the location to be suited and safe for a permanent museum. Many folks were involved in the planning, organizing, designing and the labor to bring the museum to what it has become today. The visitors center museum was officially opened in October of 2021 but due to COVID-19 limitations, only a small ceremony was able to take place. The official ribbon cutting of the site took place on Saturday, October 8, 2022, and the video attached to this article documents the entire event.
Several important people involved with the project were interviewed by us including Catharine Bragaw, the current Superintendent of the park, Stacy Humphreys, the Chief of Interpretation and Resource Management of the park, Scott Powell, Facilities Manager of the park, Iris LaRue, Director of the Lincoln Museum in Hodgenville, Kentucky, Tommy Turner, Retired LaRue County Judge Executive, and Bill Justice, former Superintendent of the park. Also interviewed were members of the Howard family to include, Janice Howard-Vittitow, Milburn Howard, Carrie Howard-Boone, and Russell Howard.
The dedication was kicked off in the morning with a flag raising ceremony performed by the local Veterans of Foreign Wars, Vine Grove Chapter and a short speech by Superintendent Bragaw. In the early afternoon a ceremony was held which began with the National Anthem sang by Vanessa, posting of the colors, and then speeches by Bragaw, who also led the ceremony, Turner, Justice, and Lincoln Impersonator Whit McMahan. Immediately following the speeches, the ribbon cutting took place on the steps of the visitor’s center.
Throughout the day visitors toured the museum and the grounds as well as the events that took place outside. The main tent housed performances by One Lane Bridge Band, “Grandpa Jones” impersonated by David Hurt, and President Lincoln (McMahan). On the grounds were set up, The Raptor Rehab of Kentucky, Reenactors Eric Johnson and his wife performing as a blacksmith and pioneer woman, a tour of the natural world of the park led by Robert Bean, Kentucky State Forester, “Art in the Park”, where children painted their Lincoln art and displayed it on a clothesline, and a fitness walk to the Knob Creek Overlook.
The event was a tremendous success that celebrated not only the giant of a man Abraham Lincoln, but also the countless hours over the years that made the Knob Creek Visitors Museum a reality. The event was video documented by Col. Russ Carson, Jr. and Sue Baber-Castle of Family Tree Nuts; be sure to see the video attached below.
– Col. Russ Carson, Jr., Founder, Family Tree Nuts