Thanksgiving Holiday Closings

All Rock Island Library buildings will close at 6pm Wednesday, Nov. 27, and remain closed Thursday and Friday, Nov. 28 & 29, for the Thanksgiving holiday. Library2Go routes are also cancelled. 

Stay in touch with our digital services and PrairieCat app! All locations reopen on Saturday, Nov. 20 with normal 10am to 2 pm hours. 

History... In Person! With Brian "Fox" Ellis: Walt Whitman's Lincoln

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Age Group:

Family, Everyone
Please note you are looking at an event that has already happened.

Program Description

Event Details

Join us for an exciting opportunity to meet history... in person! with local historian and storyteller Brian "Fox" Ellis. Brian "Fox" Ellis has been regaling audiences for more than 35 years. Since 1980 Fox has been touring the world as a performer and educator. Through stories and song, myth and poetry, Fox brings the world to your school, library, festival or conference. He is a dynamic teller who, in a warmly entertaining manner, captures what is most life-affirming and beautiful in the human experience. 

This performance will feature the following performance:

Walt Whitman’s Lincoln: Lincoln was a fan of Whitman’s “Leaves of Grass”, reading excerpts to clients in his Springfield law office; the one time he took the poetry home Mary Todd threatened to burn it! Whitman’s most famous poems, “Oh Captain, My Captain” and “When Lilacs Last Bloomed” were written as eulogies for this martyred hero. One of Whitman’s best friends was in Ford’s Theater the night he was murdered. After Lincoln’s death Whitman gave regular lectures on Lincoln’s assassination to rave reviews. Fox recreates a program Whitman delivered on the life and death of Lincoln woven with his Civil War poems and recollections of their misty morning encounter during the war.

This event is suitable for all ages. Registration is not required. Light refreshments will be provided. 

Disclaimer(s)

Accessibility

The library makes every effort to ensure our programs can be enjoyed by all. If you have any concerns about accessibility or need to request specific accommodations, please contact the library.

Photo Guidelines

We often take photographs during library events. If you do not want us to take or publish photos of your child, please notify library staff at the program.