Happy birthday, Mr. President: Lincoln bicentennial events

In two days, Abe Lincoln would’ve been 200. In homage to the famously bearded man, we wrote this fluff piece on, what else, his chin hair; we we're going for laughs. Living in a state that constantly touts its connection to the ax-toting former-president it seems there's nothing we Land of Lincolners don't know about the 16th prez. Turns out? We're wrong.

This month, each millisecond of his life is displayed, transformed into a travel destination, written-up, made into a movie, painted and performed through music. To get you started, we give you just a taste of events planned for Jesus’s Second Coming, uh, I mean Honest Abe’s bicentennial B-Day. Travel The ghost of Abe is still alive and well in Springfield. Even the 44th president can attest to that; he’s jetting down to Illinois’ state capitol for Lincoln’s birthday party at the Crowne Plaza hotel (lincolnbicentennial.gov), Thursday 12, 7pm.

You can even get a discount by hitting up the capitol the old fashioned way: The Illinois Bureau of Tourism has partnered with Amtrak to offer riders 20 percent off all train travel in Illinois, now through June 30. Find discount code at enjoyillinois.com.

No matter how you trek to Springfield, our travel itinerary presents all the best Springfield attractions, from bars and bakeries to Lincoln’s tomb and home.

Art Since 1971, water-colorist Kay Smith has been chronicling Lincoln’s life. Samples from her long-term project are on display at the Pritzker Military Library through March 13.

Museums It’s on the penny, it’s on the five dollar bill. A face doesn’t get more ubiquitous than that. See more examples of Lincoln’s mug, several historic, at Harold Washington Library Center through Feb 28.

A Chicago History Museum curator once told me that Lincoln artifacts—especially locks of Lincoln’s hair—are one of the most counterfeited items to hit American history museums. Let’s hope this display features the real deal. Assassination memorabilia, death room furniture from the Petersen House and artifacts from Ford's Theatre can be found at CHM’s "Lincoln Treasures," opening on Thursday 12. 1601 N Clark St at North Ave (312-642-4600, chicagohistory.org). El: Brown, Purple (rush hrs) to Sedgwick. Bus: 22 (24hrs), 36, 72. Mon–Wed 9:30am–4:30pm; Thu 9:30am–8pm; Fri, Sat 9:30am–4:30pm; Sun noon–5pm. $14, seniors and students $12, members, kids under 12 and Mondays free.

Telling Lincoln paraphernalia—like a letter to Abe from a Native American chief—is on display at the Newberry Library through Friday 13.

Theater To mark the day, City Lit is doing a staged reading of the Pulitzer-winning Abe Lincoln in Illinoison Thursday 12. Admission price is $5.01, or two Lincolns.

Lectures In his book A. Lincoln: a Biography, Ron White created a new look at Lincoln through research of discovered letters, legal papers and photographs. He’ll discuss his book at the Newberry Library. 
60 W Walton St; Thursday 12,
6–7:30pm; free.

Kids For just one Lincoln (the smaller one!), Chicago History Museum invites you to say “Happy Birthday, Abe!” with live music, birthday cake and more.

Celebrate at home PBS presents a new look at the life and legacy of Lincoln with Looking for Lincoln, a two-hour broadcast hosted by Harvard prof Henry Louis Gates, Jr. Tune in on Wednesday 11, 9pm.

Local storyteller Syd Lieberman drops his latest recording, "Abraham and Isaac: Sacrifice at Gettysburg" based on a true story connecting President Abraham Lincoln with Isaac Taylor, a Union soldier from Illinois who fought and fell at Gettysburg. Available for purchase at Lieberman’s website, www.sydlieberman.com.

The Newberry Library, in partnership with the Chicago History Museum and the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission, created web exhibitions on Lincoln and the Civil War. The digital exhibitions can be found at lincolnat200.org.