Abraham Lincoln passed through Peekskill, N.Y. twice during his years as president, once on the way to his inauguration in 1861 and again when his remains were carried home to Springfield, Ill., for burial. On both occasions, one filled with tension and the other shock and grief, he made the trip by train and it stopped at the depot in Peekskill, a lovely town on the Hudson River. The depot survives and today is home to the Lincoln Depot Museum. I had the pleasure of speaking there today to a standing room only crowd. I talked about Civil War portrait photography, a presentation that I have been refining over the past year. In my humble opinion, it is the best yet.
Several folks deserve special recognition: John Testa, museum president, Paul Martin III, board member and talented artist, and a super special thanks to Brian and Emil Caplan, who fed and sheltered me, including a wonderful dinner party and an early morning road trip to Elephant’s Trunk Country Flea Market in New Milford, Conn.
Thanks also to everyone who attended. The next time you are in or near Peekskill, a highly recommend a museum visit.
