A replica of the train that carried President Abraham Lincoln’s body across the United States more than 150 years ago will be at the Indiana Welcome Center later this year.
The full-size re-created train will be on display from Wednesday, Oct. 7 through Sunday, Oct. 11. In addition to hosting school groups and special events, the South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority will offer visitors the opportunity to purchase tours of the funeral train car.
“Hosting the Lincoln funeral train is a great opportunity for our region, and it’s consistent with the South Shore CVA brand. Visitors and residents trust that events presented by the South Shore CVA will be family-friendly, fun and safe,” said Speros A. Batistatos, president and CEO of the South Shore CVA.
The Lincoln funeral train has attracted thousands of visitors each day that it has been on display at other host sites. Batistatos says the train has great potential to attract a high volume of visitors to the South Shore.
“Last year, there were more than 75,000 pageviews to our website’s events page. People are seeking these types of events,” explained Batistatos. “The Lincoln funeral train will be another significant draw, attracting many visitors who are interested in an educational and historical experience.”
The train was created by the 2015 Lincoln Funeral Train group to commemorate the 150th anniversary of President Abraham Lincoln’s assassination and funeral. It is a near-exact replica of the historic train that carried President Lincoln’s body from Washington, D.C., to Springfield, Ill.
“The train will also accentuate the efforts of the South Shore Civil War Memorial Trail,” explained Batistatos. “The Civil War is an important story in our nation’s history. The South Shore CVA looks forward to helping visitors and residents learn that story.”
The South Shore Civil War Memorial Trail is a collection of the last known resting places, monuments, architectural icons and sites with Civil War ties that are related to the brave men and women from the region who sacrificed during the most pivotal period in our nation’s history. The trail serves as a guide for visitors who wish to pay their respects to the veterans and learn the stories of their humanity and sacrifice during and after the war.
Information on tours, special events and field trip opportunities will be released closer to the display dates. To learn about sponsorship opportunities, contact Katie Holderby, executive vice president of the South Shore CVA, at katie@southshorecva.com. For more information on the South Shore CVA or the South Shore Civil War Memorial Trail, visit www.AlongtheSouthShore.com.
