Abraham Lincoln’s 200th birthday is Thursday, and Washington students are learning all about our 16th president.
But instead of having their noses in books all week, students spent a part of their day Tuesday listening to a first-hand account of Lincoln’s presidency bid.
Richard F. “Fritz” Klein spent about an hour each at Beverly Manor School, Central Grade School, St. Patrick Catholic School and Washington Middle School, passionately discussing how he decided not to back down from his belief in the emancipation of the slaves.
“Sometimes the only resource you have is to stand on the side of the right, and God in heaven is on that side. And if you’re on that side, that’s the best place,” he said. “So, I wasn’t going to back up even if I didn’t get re-elected.”
Lincoln was assassinated a little more than one year after beginning his second term in office.
Before leaving for the next stop on his Washington tour, “Lincoln” answered questions from students.
Considered one of the nation’s foremost Lincoln actors, according to the Lincoln Institute Web site, Klein makes Lincoln and his period of history come alive.
Born in 1948 and raised in Southern California, Klein graduated from Concordia College in Ft. Wayne, Ind., in 1970 and began acting as a hobby in 1975.
The first time he was asked to portray Abraham Lincoln was in 1976 at a municipal celebration of the nation’s bicentennial.
He began acting full-time in 1980. Since then, the role has taken him to some 35 states for film and television, on stage and as a motivational speaker.
He now resides in Springfield with his wife and family, where he performs for some of the city’s 500,000 annual visitors. From there, he also travels to points across the nation on tours and by special invitation.
Klein put in an appearance at the Washington District Library last year as part of the bicentennial celebration that began last year and continues through this year.
Washington, Ill. —
