Statehouse hosting ‘Great Communicator’ this Saturday
Illinois’ Looking for Lincoln, the coordinating entity for the 43-county Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area, is bringing “Lincoln, the Great Communicator” to the Vandalia Statehouse.
The Lincoln program, which will be held at 2 p.m. this Saturday at the Vandalia Statehouse, will feature Lincoln presenter George Buss and folk musician Chris Vallillo.
From the time Buss was in elementary school in the 1960s, he already had a keen interest in Abraham Lincoln.
He was familiar with the big stone house in Lena, known as The Inn, where Lincoln stayed when he visited there.
He remembers reading about the great Freeport debate.
And he treasures the memory of sitting on Lincoln’s shoe while dining at the “Lincoln, the Debater” statue just outside Taylor Park school in Freeport.
Tall, thin, and bearded, Buss was frequently told of his resemblance to Honest Abe as he reached adulthood and entered the teaching profession.
In 1986, he made his first Lincoln appearance, representing the Land of Lincoln at a National Educational Association Convention in New Orleans. Sporting the famous stovepipe hat, he led the Illinois delegation onto the convention floor.
From there, he collaborated with Richard Sokup, who portrayed Steven A. Douglas, and by 1993 the pair entered the national scene as Lincoln and Douglas interpreters.
They worked together until 2004, when Sokup died.
Buss worked alone for a few years, and then formed a relationship with Tim Connors to perform, “A discussion with President Lincoln and Judge Douglas.”
They now appear together regularly throughout the nation.
Today, Buss has turned his historical knowledge, educational background, theatrical experience, and love of all-things Lincoln into a full-time passion.
He enjoys interacting with people from all walks of life – prominent Lincoln scholars, international celebrities, and regular people “like you and me.”
At every venue he visits, Buss brings Lincoln to life with authenticity, reverence, and humor.
Lincoln presenter George Buss and folk singer Chris Vallillo will be at the Vandalia Statehouse this Saturday afternoon.
