Now He Belongs to the Ages

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Now He Belongs to the Ages
February 4 @ 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Free
The story of President Abraham Lincoln’s funeral train will be the topic for the Vernon County Historical Society’s first free public program of 2025. Civil War historian and re-enactor Frederick Beseler will present “Now He Belongs to the Ages” on Tuesday, February 4, at 7PM, at the Vernon County History Center in Viroqua.
Most Americans know the story of President Abraham Lincoln’s assassination, but few know the story of the long funeral train journey back to Springfield, Illinois. Lincoln died on April 15, 1865. A special funeral train carrying his body left Washington, D.C., on April 21. The 9-car train, the “Lincoln Special”, attracted huge crowds as it travelled nearly 1700 miles to Springfield, arriving on May 3.
We’ll explore this history as we prepare to commemorate the anniversary of Lincoln’s birth in February. Programs are free and open to the public, and everyone is welcome to attend. Note that the event will begin with a brief business meeting for VCHS members to approve this year’s budget.