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Vandalia’s Abe promotes city, Lincoln events

We had a fun and educational experience this week – we enjoyed eating breakfast with Abe Clymer, Vandalia’s own Abe Lincoln look-alike, completely dressed, from head to toe, in his tall, black stovepipe hat to his black leather shoes that looked like they could have been worn by Abraham Lincoln in his time.

Our time with Abe caused us to realize that clothes, indeed, do “make the man.”
Breakfast with Abe Lincoln
The ”Abe” experience began when we met at Denny’s in Vandalia and Clymer was delayed at the front door by ladies who wanted photos taken with him. They seemed impressed that“Abe Lincoln ate here.”
He ordered a breakfast that very well could have been what Lincoln himself ate for breakfast many years ago – fried eggs, sausage, pancakes and rich brewed coffee.
Many friends greeted Abe in passing, which was probably the same as when Lincoln went to a public place for a meal.
Upon leaving, Abe and Denny’s owner Dave Behrends, exchanged a few pleasant words and a hearty handshake.
We then left to visit our local history, which is not only enjoyed by us, but is known worldwide, as is evident when travelers, not only from other states, but also from other countries, show a great interest in the life and times of Lincoln and the building in which he began his career in politics and received his law license, a prelude to his presidency of the United States.   
And on down the road to Gallatin Street …
… where we met with Abe at the Vandalia Statehouse, which was in keeping with the steps Lincoln would have taken. However, in these times, Abe arrived in a white Dodge pickup truck. Abe explained he had always liked the particular model because the truck bed was lower than most, a good point, since before he retired from his TV and appliance store, he surely did a lot of lifting and loading television sets.
The visit to the Statehouse, was, as always, an interesting and educational experience, one that never grows old. A pleasant young man working there, Sam Kerr, also was helpful in supplying information about the building, contents and important dates.
As you walk through on the clean and polished wood plank floors, you begin to absorb the atmosphere of our history, The interior is beautifully plain and there are no distracting sounds to interfere with your thoughts and imagination of the lawmakers meeting and discussing subjects and concerns of the day.
Looking into the rooms that hold furniture and wood stoves – along with books, quill pens, inkwells and important-looking documents, you can envision the men sitting about the room, talking about future plans, laws, elections and issues the candidates will debate. Very possibly, there were also more personal conversations about their families, horses, etc. It is truly a visit that everyone should make and be prepared to enjoy and absorb a bit of our past history, which we are so privileged to have.
We then travelled on west on Gallatin Street and turned right onto Fifth Street, where we visited the National Road Interpretive Center. It located between the railroad tracks and Gallatin Street, on the east side of Fifth Street.
First-time visitors to the center are impressed by the historical and informational contents of the building. A precious item from the past is a timber that was a part of the historical Corduroy Road. It was found by workmen and is petrified.
There are many photos and relics from the early days, all of interest, as well as documents and papers telling of the road and the people building it and traveling it in the Conestoga wagons.
A replica of such a wagon is on display, setting in a patch of prairie grass that appears real enough to mow.
Tools, surveyor’s instruments, everyday items that were part of the equipment on the wagons, etc., so many items of interest, are on display.
There is also a large screen on which villages and towns located along the National (or Cumberland) Road can be viewed, with maps and roads, along with individual features of the towns.
Also on the premises is an Abraham Lincoln mannequin that moves and talks, telling about the early days of Vandalia, and how and when he arrived here on a yellow stage coach, again an educational experience.
The center has free National Road coloring books, which feature “Patches,” a little patchwork bear.  They are not only entertaining for the children, but they are also educational, as “Patches” tells the story of the National Road.
There is no charge for tours and visits, at either the old state capitol or the Interpretive Center, but donations are accepted and appreciated.
As Our Visit Ended …
… we thanked Abe Clymer for the tours and the many interesting facts about early Vandalia he shared with us. He is so believable and looks so much like our 16th president as he talks about Lincoln’s life, his family and the days of long ago, when he was helping shape the future of the United States.
We are so fortunate to have so much knowledge and actual items of, not only our Vandalia history, but of Illinois and the United States of America … and also to have Abe Clymer to remind us of how Abe Lincoln looked and is willing to share with us his appearance and gifts of telling the story.
Vandalia’s physical appearance has certainly changed, but we still have remnants of the past to remind us and from which to learn more about our heritage. It is no longer Lincoln’s Vandalia in the physical sense, but it still has the important evidence and proof of his legacy – of his integrity, compassion for others, belief in God and concern for our country.   
And Abe Clymer urges all to visit our historic site, the Statehouse, and to take advantage of the interpretive center to learn about the National Road, our heritage.
And all are invited to the open house at the center next weekend as Lincoln’s Birthday is observed.
Join in on the Weekend …
… with Mr. Lincoln in Vandalia on Feb. 13 and 14 for restful fun, educational, food and new friends.
Saturday, Feb. 13
• 10 a.m.-4 p.m. – Open house at the Interpretive Center, with tours and refreshments.
• 7-10 p.m. – Lincoln Civil War Ball at the Moose Lodge, 128 S. Third St. Dance to the music of the Salt Creek String Band, with a caller for the period dances.
Admission is $15 for couples in period dress and $20 for couples in street clothes.
Sunday-Feb. 14
• 2 p.m. – Lincoln’s Birthday program at Illinois’ oldest state capitol, where Lincoln began his political career. It includes tours, a program, discussions and refreshments.

   
   
   
    
                                   
    
 

Vandalia’s Abe Lincoln, Lewis ‘Abe’ Clymer shakes hand with owner Dave Behrends at Denny’s.

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