A special exhibit that focuses on the end of the U.S. Civil War and post-war Michigan opened this month at the Michigan Historical Center in downtown Lansing. The "Conceived in Liberty" exhibit focuses on themes from President Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address.The display features artifacts from Michigan soldiers and stories of their key roles at Gettysburg, Vicksburg, Fredericksburg and other historic battles.
"Conceived in Liberty" then turns to the war's end and the following two decades. It includes objects associated with Lincoln's assassination, stories of Michigan's economic expansion and diversity, and illustrations of equality and inequality following the war.
Sandra Clark is executive director and curator at the Michigan Historical Center. Current State’s Peter Whorf toured the exhibit with her in this first of a three part series.