Museum welcomes Abraham Lincoln on Sunday

By Keri Luiz
Assistant Editor

This Sunday, Hollywood will celebrate its version of the 16th president, as directed by Steven Spielberg.
But Benicia will get the jump on the Academy Awards, at which “Lincoln” is nominated for Best Picture, by a few hours.

In its final event associated with the long-running “Freedom is a Hard Bought Thing” exhibit, which details the experience of African Americans in Solano County in the 19th and 20th centuries, Benicia Historical Museum will present “Lincoln Speaks,” featuring impersonator Kevin Weinert.

Elizabeth D’Huart, executive director of the museum, said Weinert comes highly recommended. Not only has his performance of Abraham Lincoln drawn raves from event sponsor Richard Bortolazzo, it met with the approval of museum curator Beverly Phelan.

“Beverly saw Kevin at the Walnut Creek Library when he did his Lincoln impersonation. She said that he was wonderful,” d’Huart said.

Weinert, “in character” as Lincoln, will talk about growing up, Lincoln’s years as a lawyer and being the president. He will recite the Gettysburg Address and the Emancipation Proclamation.

Weinert said Thursday that most of his performance is character education for school assemblies from elementary school up to eighth grade. He also offers anti-bullying education, “using storytelling to teach these kind of things.”

Musical director for the Youth Theatre Company in Walnut Creek, where he is currently preparing for a production of the “Pirates of Penzance Jr.,” Weinert aims to dispel much of mythology that has been built around Lincoln. “The main myth that I seek to dispel is how we turned him into a statue, a wax figure like we would see at Disneyland,” he said. “This very stiff and dignified character with a very deep and baritone voice, where actually he was very lively, animated.

“He loved telling stories and making people laugh. He loved to laugh, himself,” Weinert said.

Weinert said Lincoln was very awkward in his movements. “He didn’t seem to care whether he looked foolish or not, and he had a high-tenor voice. They say that when he got excited and he was telling a story and got to the funny part that his voice would go up to a womanish shrill tone. Those are the things I try to capture.

“We want to keep him safe and dignified, and I try to bring him to life a little more,” he said.

Weinert addresses other myths about the president’s hat, the log cabin where he grew up, his reputation as “Honest Abe” and why he grew a beard.

“I really tie it around the Gettysburg Address and the reason for the Civil War, and what the Civil War came to be about,” he said.

“He does a fabulous job,” Bortolazzo said. “When Bev called me for the sponsorship, I remembered how impressive he was years ago and thought that it would be great to have him back. I hope everyone enjoys the presentation.”

After the presentation Weinert will answer questions in the “Freedom” exhibit area, where there also will be copies of Lincoln-related documents on display.

The exhibit will close Feb. 27. It was originally scheduled to end in December, but because of Black History Month and the resurgence of interest in Abraham Lincoln — largely because of the Oscar-nominated film — the museum decided to continue it through the end of this month.

If You Go
“Lincoln Speaks” will be at the Benicia Historical Museum, 2060 Camel Road, Sunday beginning at 1 p.m.