Did you know that Abraham Lincoln had spoken at Bronson Park in Kalamazoo? Recently a sculpture of our 16th president had been dedicated on August 27, 2023 at 2:00pm. This ceremony had been exactly 167 years since Honest Abe had stood in this same location. With President’s Day coming up, I felt like this piece of Michigan history would be fitting to share. Take notice that this statue of Lincoln doesn’t have a beard . . . stay tuned for the adorable story of how he had decided to grow one.

Lincoln’s Speech in Kalamazoo

On the muggy afternoon of August 27, 1856, 47 year old Abraham Lincoln had strolled from the Kalamazoo train station to Bronson Park. This “Fremont Mass Meeting” rally had been organized by Hezekiah G. Wells, a Kalamazoo attorney. Wells had invited fellow attorney, Abraham Lincoln, to speak in support of the Republican candidate, John C. Fremont. The crowd had been listening to several speakers supporting the newly formed Republican Party, which had been constructed just two years before in 1854. Abraham Lincoln stood on the podium at precisely 2:00 pm.

Lincoln’s sixteen and a half minute speech had focused on the 1854 Kansas-Nebraska Act. This act had proposed that these new territories could decide for themselves about being free or slave states. This could have impacted laws in existing and future states.

Lincoln had eloquently explained that the Republicans had opposed the expansion of slavery. This 2,781 word speech had set the tone for his upcoming presidency campaign.

It is assumed that Abraham Lincoln had spent the night at Hezekiah G. Wells’ home on the corner of Cedar and Rose Streets. Wells and Lincoln’s friendship had spanned decades. In 1837 and 1838 Wells had been nominated by the Whig Party to represent the brand new state of Michigan. Wells, however, had a reputation for being a poor orator, so he’d asked his friend Abraham Lincoln to speak at the “Fremont Mass Meeting” rally. It had been a success as Lincoln had captivated the crowd!

A Youngster’s Encouraging Letter

Four years later the 1860’s presidential race had become desperately heated between the four contenders: Sen. Stephen Douglas, Abraham Lincoln, John Breckinridge and John Bell. The nation’s tensions had simmered around the main issues of slavery and state’s rights. A bold letter had landed in Lincoln’s mailbox in October 1860.

This correspondence had come from an eleven year old, Grace Bedell. She had written to attorney Abraham Lincoln on October 15th. She had expressed her desire for Mr. Lincoln to become president. Next she boldly encouraged him to grow his whiskers as she’d explained, ‘Your clean shaven face is too thin.’ Grace pointed out that if he grew a beard women would “tease their husbands to vote for you.”

Lincoln replied right away and addressed his note to ‘My Dear Little Miss’ . . . “Having never worn any, do you not think people would call it a piece of silly affection if I were to begin it now?” Despite his doubts, Lincoln let his facial hair grow.

Lincoln Won!

Abraham Lincoln had been our first president to have a beard. Following the successful election, Lincoln had been on his way to Washington D.C. for his new job. He had the train stop in Westfield, Indiana hoping to find Grace in the crowd. When he finally located her he kissed her cheek and thanked her for her idea.

Inauguration

Liz Bedell

Nearly 150 years later, Liz Bedell, who had worked at the United States House of Representatives, saw Grace’s letter. Liz had recounted hearing stories of her Great-Great Aunt Grace’s brave and bold letter to Abraham Lincoln, but she had always just shrugged off the long lost idea of her relation writing to the famous president. That is until she saw the letter for herself.

Liz had written in the exhibition visitors’ log: “I cried my eyes out.” Liz had commented that her grandpa used to tell her: “You can do anything you want. You can be president. Why, just look at your great-great aunt Grace Bedell. She couldn’t vote, but she put pen to paper.”

Kalamazoo’s Dedication Ceremony

On August 27, 2023 The Kalamazoo Lincoln Institute unveiled William Wolfe’s sculpture of Abraham Lincoln exactly at 2:00 pm when Lincoln would have been addressing the crowd 167 years before.

Music had been played by Dodworth Saxhorn Band with soloist Alfrelynn Roberts. A poem had been read and speakers had stepped up to the microphone.

The Kalamazoo Lincoln Institute had spent a decade organizing this tribute in Bronson Park. Cameron Brown, the president of K.L.I. had said, “What happened in this place on August 27, 1856, influenced the tide of events that set men and women free.”

Michael Rice, the Michigan Superintendent of Education, had stated, “We praise Lincoln, not as a perfect person or a perfect president, but as the right president for that moment. Lincoln knew that to form ‘a more perfect union,’ in the words of the constitution, he needed to first preserve the union.”

“How are we, in our time, going to make sure that this is a place where we respect and honor and care for each other?” Mayor David Anderson asked those gathered. “We are here because we care about not only the person we are recognizing but the leadership this person demonstrated and the words which will continue on,” Anderson continued. “So, please let’s all remember and share with each other that we were here today.”

Sculptor William Wolfe spoke at ceremony. “We dedicate this statute to the memory of the visitor from Illinois who graced our presence and changed the world,” he had said. “We dedicate this statute to the memory of the men and women who stood on this ground in solidarity and commitment to unshackle a race of people.”

Ponderings

Political turmoil has plagued each generation. As we embark on another presidential election, let’s all move forward while being mindful of our past. We may not agree with one another, but we can be respectful and kind. Curious history surrounds us! Let us learn from others who’ve come before us.

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Resources:

Kalamazoo Public Library article

Kalamazoo Public Library article

MLive article August 27, 2023

Detroit Free Press article

Grace Bewell’s Letter