BY PHYLLIS SIDES
Journal Times | Posted: Tuesday, May 27, 2008 12:00 am
Next year we will celebrate Abraham Lincoln's 200th birthday. To commemorate the occasion, bicentennial commissions have been set up around the country.
In Wisconsin, Racine resident Steven Rogstad was selected by Gov. Jim Doyle to serve on the state's commission. Looking at his background, Doyle's selection of Rogstad, would appear to be destiny.
"The study of Abraham Lincoln has been a passion with me since age 6," said Rogstad, 49. "I served as secretary and editor for the Lincoln Fellowship of Wisconsin for 12 years and review editor for the Lincoln Herald, a historical journal published by Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, Tenn., for six years."
Rogstad also edited one book and contributed to three others related to Lincoln. In 1993 he delivered the address for the re-dedication of the Mary Lincoln/Abraham Lincoln Monument by Gateway Technical College, and in 1997 delivered the dedicatory address for the new garden and lighting system around the monument.
When Racine celebrated its sesquicentennial in 1998, Rogstad established the Lincoln Monument Restoration Project to renovate the statue of Abraham Lincoln at the junction of Hamilton, Carlisle and State streets. The restored statue was dedicated on Make a Difference Day in 1998.
Currently, Rogstad is writing and recording small radio scripts about episodes in Lincoln's life for WRJN (1400 AM). Each one minute in length, the "Lincoln Moments" are being aired daily on WRJN. Rogstad will write a new "Lincoln Moment" each week during the bicentennial, so Racine residents will get nearly 104 Lincoln episodes to listen to.
"I am also working on other projects which you may find of interest," Rogstad said. "Needless to say, I will be busy for the next two years."
Recently, Rogstad talked with The Journal Times about the celebration and the commission. For more information about local events, call Rogstad at (262) 637-7549.
Tell us about the commission.
The Wisconsin Lincoln Bicentennial Commission was established by Gov. Jim Doyle on April 7 by Executive Order 245. Its purpose is to honor and celebrate the 200th Anniversary of the birth of Abraham Lincoln on Feb. 12, 2009. The commission is part of a national celebration that is taking place between Feb. 12, 2008, and Feb. 12, 2010. Each state has been encouraged by the federal government to establish such a commission to determine what celebration or commemoration is appropriate.
How and why did you become involved?
I have been involved in Lincoln studies for over 40 years and have taken an active role in numerous Lincoln organizations around the country, particularly the Lincoln Fellowship of Wisconsin, the third oldest Lincoln group in existence today. I was asked to serve on the commission by the governor's office and have been appointed to serve as secretary and as a member of the executive committee. I am the only member representing Racine. My avocation has always been promoting the story of Lincoln's life and ideals, so I am extremely grateful to Gov. Doyle for giving me an opportunity to serve my state in this way.
What are some of the events you have planned?
Six committees were established at the commission's first meeting in Madison on April 18. These are: Fundraising & Finance; Events and Programs; Education and Outreach; Web site and Publicity; Memorials, Markers and Displays; Seminars and Publications.
As a member of the Memorials, Markers and Displays Committee, I can say that we will be working toward establishing a Wisconsin Lincoln Heritage Trail that will educate persons about Lincoln's two visits to Wisconsin and the important role our state played in supporting the Lincoln administration and the Union during the Civil War. Part of the project will be identifying Lincoln-related sites in the state and there are several that merit having state historical bronze markers.
Discussion also has taken place about possibly having another statue of Abraham Lincoln installed. It will be a terrific way to share knowledge about our 16th president and promote tourism. It is still too early to provide any information about specific events that will occur, but each committee will be making recommendations about specific projects and events to the Commission as a whole on June 7. The Commission does not have any budget or state funding, so all projects will be dependent on successful fund raising.
Will there be any coordination between local, state and national events?
There is a national Lincoln Bicentennial Commission which was formed approximately two years ago. It has a somewhat informal role as it relates to each state commission. It provides a clearinghouse for resources and materials; it provides a route of communication between the state commissions; it has a somewhat unstructured coordination function, although each state is legally autonomous. Each state will set its own agenda and arrange its own festivities, but the Lincoln Bicentennial Commission has an excellent Web site - http://www.lincolnbicentennial.gov - that informs people of what participating states are doing to celebrate Lincoln's birth between now and 2010. There are numerous events already taking place around the country. It is an exciting time to learn about Abraham Lincoln and re-examine what it means to be an American in the 21st century.