Brought to you by WBIW News and Network Indiana
Last updated on Saturday, October 19, 2013
(SALEM) - Salem’s native son John Milton Hay, who was President Abraham Lincoln’s personal secretary, has helped generate a lot of interest in the nation’s 16th President.
For this reason, area history buffs are invited to a special program presented at John Hay Center's Depot railroad museum at 1:30 p.m. Saturday.
Lincoln was assassinated April 15, 1865. His body was transported by a special train from Washington D.C. to Springfield, Ill., where he was buried. To commemorate the 150th anniversary of his death, a full-scale replica of an 1860s steam locomotive and funeral car are being constructed.
The 45-minute program at The Depot tells about the project and will include photographs and a DVD presentation. Presenting the program will be Shannon Brown of Gosport. a member of the Historic Railroad Equipment Association, a non-profit group that is sponsoring the project. When the train is finished, it will recreate as much of the 1865 route as possible, though modern rail traffic and line abandonments will prevent making the entire journey by rail.
During the time when the train cannot be under its own power, it will be transported by flatbed truck. On May 2, 2015, the train will arrive in Springfield, Ill. exactly 150 years after the original and will be the centerpiece of that city's sesquicentennial commemorative events.
There is no charge to attend the program however, seating in The Depot's Monon Room is limited.
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