Cairo High School Students Create Interactive Museum Dedicated to Lincoln

Pictured at Right: Sarah McGee; Dorothy Ramsey; Neimoya Woods; Michael Scott; Education Coordinator Teaching Primary Sources, Southern Illinois University College of Education and Human Services; James Darden, Shawnee Community College Dean of Adult Education; Brittney Ramsey, Porsha Bondurant; and Rashauna Thomas.

What began with a plan for a simple tribute to the 16th president of the United States in the Cairo High School library has expanded into an interactive museum and reading room completely dedicated to Abraham Lincoln and a trip to the Lincoln Museum in our state's capital. Complete with a section of split-rail fencing, the room now echoes with items linking the past to the present. The museum was made possible through a Library of Congress grant and a donation from the Lowes Corporation. Cairo High School librarian Paula McKinnis piqued the interest of several students who have poured themselves into the project. Freshmen Brittney Ramsey, Porsha Bondurant, and Dorothy Ramsey joined upper classmates Rashauna Thomas, Neimoya Woods and Sarah McGee who worked along with Cairo High School librarian Paula McKinnis in transforming the room.

Taking the still setting one step further, the students gathered replica clothing from online sites and other sources and the girls transformed into18th century young ladies. The students participate in local historical events, including the recent Lincoln bicentennial celebration in Union County.

Michael Scott, Education Coordinator Teaching Primary Sources, Southern Illinois University College of Education and Human Services has worked closely with McKinnis to facilitate the groups excursion to historic Springfield on April 2.

As part of Shawnee Community College's commitment to the community and its youth, SCC is sponsoring the trip to Springfield. Assisting SCC is the Teaching with Primary Sources program from SIU College of Education and Human Services, directed by Dr. Jerry Hostetler. Working with Lincoln Bicentennial Coordinator Kay Smith, McKinnis and the students will tour the museum and don their 18th century clothing, interacting with patrons of the museum. Students will also be able to see examples of primary sources such as letters in Lincoln's own hand writing. Porsha Bondurant excitingly explained what the experience has meant to her. "It is all so interesting, Abraham Lincoln and the connection to Cairo and what Lincoln did for our country." Smiling proudly, she explained that some of the dresses were replicas of the first lady's Mary Todd Lincoln personal wardrobe. McKinnis credits the success of the program and to the enthusiastic nature of the students and to the generosity of the sponsors, including SCC President Dr. Larry Peterson and the Southern Illinois University College of Education and Human Services.

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