Well, Ladies and Gents!
This week was most auspicious. On November 19th, 1863, President Lincoln spoke a few words (after the main speaker had given a speech of nearly 2 hours, I believe!). His very short address became famous, and one of the weekends near the anniversary of his speech has become a recurring event, with ceremonies, speeches, parades, and, most importantly, balls! (I jest – and yet, I found the balls to be perhaps the funnest – if not the most important – part of the day!).
Though some events happen already on Friday, I was not able to leave home early enough to participate in these (such as Friday night balls, nor much downtown shopping).
Instead, I got to the area quite late, after a dark and rainy (and somewhat foggy) drive. The night clerk and I got to chatting, and she expressed an interest in seeing my ballgown! I promised to stop by the desk the next night on my way in from the ball to show her. 🙂
The next day, Saturday, November 23rd, 2013 – the year being exactly 150 years after the original event, and thus quite significant – was a full one:
At first a ceremony, then a parade, another ceremony, then the ball!
And what would a post be without pictures?
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Friday night: the hotel closet full of ironed and prepped clothes for the next morning! |
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Saturday morning, early: A sailor, standing outside the hotel. Later, I saw a whole unit of sailors and marines marching in the parade. |
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Yes, that is Sgt Schulz, from Hogan’s Heroes. Odd, but fun – the first reenactor I speak to on Saturday, and he’s from the wrong century! |
Of course, I got no pictures of the first ceremony – oops! It was at a monument, and included wreath-laying to honor the GAR (Grand Army of the Republic – a union veteran’s group), among others. It included a truly phenomenal delivery of the Gettysburg Address by a Lincoln reenactor! On the downside, it was frightfully cold, as a biting wind came shearing across the fields.
LINK: Pictures of the Woolson’s Monument Ceremony (I’m in picture #7! A clue: my bonnet has green ribbon ties)
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The parade line-up. These are the ladies who graciously allowed me to walk with their group! |
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The ladies’ groups lining up behind us. The parade was quite long! |
The parade ended up being quite long. I didn’t see all of it, though I watched a bit of what had been behind us, once we got to the end. It was an impressive show!
LINK: A video of the parade. I’m in minute 6:43.
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A view of the “Hands Over the Wall” ceremony (100th anniversary). |
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Mr. Allen Loew, who graciously accompanied me to the ball later on. |
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Another view of the reenactors lined up for the “Hands Over the Wall” |
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At the ball! |
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Another view of the new ballgown (another post to follow, about how I made the dress!) |
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At the break between dinner and the dance, as they cleared the ballroom of the tables. |
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And a view of my hairstyle (there were also ringlets coming down from it, but apparently the camera slipped upward – I didn’t get a good picture of them!) |
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And last but not least, me on the floor, dancing in my new dress! |
LINK: I show up in photo 120 on this photo website!
All in all, it was a fabulous weekend! The drive home was slow and snowy, but smooth going, and I’m very glad I went. I’m already looking forward to next year!
Most sincerely yours,
~ Sarah
What a beautiful woman in a stunning dress! I am glad you had a fun-filled weekend and a safe drive home. Eugenia
Thank you! Yes, I had a ball 😉 and even the snow on the drive back was irrelevant to the fun I had!