In Retrospect of the Civil War: A Visit with the Lincolns

Shawnee Community College will host the spring 2006 history symposium on Friday, March 17 at 9 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. in the SCC Educational Center located on the main campus near Ullin. This year's symposium, In Retrospect of the Civil War: A Visit with the Lincolns will include two performances aimed at grades 6th through 8th. The general public is also invited to attend either performance. Schools need to register by Wednesday, March 1 by contacting Gae Morris, SCC Special Events Coordinator at 618-634-3323.

The husband and wife team, Dr. B. F. and Dorothy A. McClerren, of Charleston, Illinois, will bring to life the struggles of the nation during the Civil War, through the eyes and life experiences of Abraham Lincoln and his wife, Mary Todd. The McClerrens reside in Charleston, Illinois, and won the 2002 "Best Abraham and Mary Team" by the Association of Lincoln Presenters.

B.F. McClerren, Ph.D, is a retired college professor. His educational background includes rhetoric, history, philosophy, and theology. He taught the Lincoln Seminar, History and Criticism of Public Address, Philosophy, and Rhetorical Theory at Eastern Illinois University for thirty years. In 1994 the Association of Lincoln Presenters honored McClerren with "The Lincoln Presenter of the Year," Award.
Dr. McClerren said, "When I portray Lincoln I want my audiences to philosophize with Lincoln as he wrestles with questions of God, truth, freedom, responsibility, and constitutional government. I want them to laugh with Lincoln the lawyer and politician as he tells jokes and stories. I want them to weep with Lincoln the grieving father and war weary president. I want them to hear the best of Lincoln as he delivers his most famous speeches."

Dorothy A. McClerren is a retired elementary teacher. She identifies with Mary Lincoln's height, color of hair, color of eyes, and facial features. In 1995 Dorothy was awarded first place in the Mary Todd Lincoln Look Alike contest at Hodgenville, Kentucky. She also received the "Mary Todd Lincoln Presenter of the Year" award from the Association of Lincoln Presenters in 1995.
Mrs. McClerren said, "I believe that Mary Lincoln has been much maligned. I want to realistically represent her life in Kentucky, Illinois, and in the White House. When my audiences hear Mary Lincoln I want them to feel and understand her soul, to laugh and weep with her."