Massachusetts Historical Society: Celebrating Lincoln

Browse online displays of selected artifacts including the pen Lincoln used to sign the Emancipation Proclamation, a bronze study model of Daniel Chester French's statue for the Lincoln Memorial, and an exchange of correspondence between Edward Everett and Abraham Lincoln about the Gettysburg Address.

Emancipation Proclamation pen

Abraham Lincoln used this pen to sign the Emancipation Proclamation.

1855 letter on slavery

In 1855 Lincoln writes to a friend and shares his personal feelings about slavery and comments on the implications for the country should slavery be extended into the new territories.

Bronze cast of face and hands

Leonard Wells Volk made casts of Abraham Lincoln's face and hands.

Letter from Edward Everett

Edward Everett writes to Abraham Lincoln the day after the dedication of the Soldiers’ National Cemetery in Gettysburg. Everett, who gave the oration, compliments Lincoln on his succinct, eloquent, and appropriate remarks.

Response to Everett

Lincoln responds to Everett’s letter about the speeches at the Soldiers’ National Cemetery dedication in Gettysburg.

Lincoln engraving

An engraving of Abraham Lincoln from the Portraits of American Abolitionists collection.

thumbnail of table of architectural ornaments

Table made from architectural ornaments

This table comprised of architectural ornaments from the U.S. Capitol was made for President Abraham Lincoln.

Lincoln engraving

Another engraving of Abraham Lincoln from the Portraits of American Abolitionists collection.

A Soldier's letter home

A soldier from Massachusetts writes to his mother and describes a visit from the President in April 1863.

Cast of a study for the Lincoln Memorial statue

A bronze cast from the plaster study for the sculpture of Lincoln by Daniel Chester French.