A fascinating two articles on the Lincoln Museum which, as a student of history, I will studiously avoid.

It seems to me that Disneyfication is even more a grave disservice to Lincoln than it would be to other Great American Historical Figures (Washington, TR, Martin Luther King). This is because Lincoln's relevance to history, what made Lincoln Lincoln, is based on words--the power, beauty, and relevance of his oratory. Not that the others I mentioned didn't rely on words to some degree--especially MLK--but at least you can show visuals with some relevance--a battlefield, a march, a Birmingham Jail. Lincoln's family home, his law office, his White House desk, have nothing to do with what made him great; relying on visuals to tell his story makes him, as Mr. Ferguson says, nothing more than a celebrity.

I couldn't agree more but with one more thing to add: Context, Context, Context. Lincoln needs to be understood in the context of his time. The Yuppification of history by eliminating words and social customs (the ownership of firearms) is criminal. Please do not sanitize history. Hollywood has done an excellent job of that already.

Actually, if they're interested in attracting teens to the ALPMAL or whatever it is, they should be following the movies' lead. The assassination display should feature Booth firing at Lincoln (too bad he just has a derringer - a nice big Colt would be preferable) and - with clever robotics - blowing his head apart and spattering the audience with phony blood.

Now that would bring in the crowds!

(maybe after that scene as the crowd moves in to the "Lincoln Lying In State" exhibit, he could rise from his bed, his eyes glowing bright red, and threaten to eat the spectators' brains!)