The Governor Sprague Mansion and RI Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States will host a series of events starting in 2008, leading up to and through the 2009 Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Celebration

The Governor Sprague Mansion in Cranston, Rhode Island, will host various programs starting in 2008, as fundraising events to prepare for their participation in the 2009 Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Celebration being planned across the United States.  The series of events are co-sponsored by the Rhode Island Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States (RI MOLLUS), Elisha Dyer Camp No. 7 - RI Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War (SUVCW) and Auxiliary No. 2 - RI Auxiliary to the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War (ASUVCW).  The Cranston Historical Society and Rhode Island's oldest chapters of the Civil War Historical organizations invite all Rhode Islanders to participate in these memorable activities.  The Governor Sprague Mansion is Rhode Island's primary Civil War historic site.  Governor William Sprague was Abraham Lincoln's number one War Governor at the outset of the War between the states.  Sprague married Kate Chase, daughter of Salmon P. Chase, Lincoln's Secretary of the Treasury.  The Spragues of Rhode Island were among the most prominent visitors at the White House during the War.  Sprague single-handedly prepared the state for the Civil War and created all of the regiments from Rhode Island that fought in the Civil War, which Civil War veterans called the "late unpleasantness".

The events scheduled for 2008 are fundraising programs to prepare for the 2009 Lincoln Bicentennial Sprague Mansion Gala sponsored by these four organizations.  The Chairpersons of the Lincoln Bicentennial Sprague Mansion Gala Committee are Lydia Rapoza, CHS; Gregg Mierka, RI MOLLUS; Gregory Payne, RI SUVCW Elisha Dyer Camp No.7 & Linda Payne, RI ASUVCW Elisha Dyer Auxiliary No.2. The Bicentennial Gala Committee members are Herbert Zakrison, John O'Leary, Rev. Raymond Ferrick, John Duchesneau, Sandra Moyer, Mary Mierka, Thomas Casey Greene, Henry A.L. Brown, Robert Allen Greene, Maggie Downs and Henry Duquette.

For more information contact CHS President Lydia Rapoza at lrapp1@verizon.net or (401) 822-0020; or RI MOLLUS State Commandery Commander Gregg Mierka and/or Mary Mierka, Past RIASUVCW Dept. Pres. at RIBatteryA@verizon.net or (401) 823-3726; or Greg Payne RI SUVCW Elisha Dyer Camp 7 Commander and/or Linda Payne, Elisha Dyer Auxiliary 2 Pres. at Payne_and_Ink@verizon.net or (401) 647-9698.  Scheduling times/dates and agenda may be subject to change due to availability of speakers.

September 12, 2009 - The Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Sprague Mansion Gala
Guests will attend a reception at the Governor Sprague Mansion, and continue on to the Rhodes on the Pawtuxet for a black tie/semi-formal or military uniform evening dinner with Civil War Period music, song and dance.  More information (fees and schedules) will be available after February 2008.

February 17, 2008 - The President Abraham Lincoln - Mary Todd Lincoln High Tea at the Governor Sprague Mansion
The first of the Sprague Mansion events honoring President Lincoln is scheduled in 2008 to commemorate Abraham Lincoln and Rhode Island's Civil War Governor William Sprague.  The High Tea will commemorate the birthday of Abraham Lincoln.  Lincoln's favorite cake will be served!  The Sprague Mansion is located at 1351 Cranston Street, Cranston, Rhode Island.  The event will start at 1:30 pm and end approximately 4 pm.  Thomas Casey Greene, a concert pianist and RI descendant of General Nathaniel Greene, will be the honored guest musician for the afternoon.  He will play a selection of period music on the Sprague Mansion grand piano, accompanied by recorders Sharon Albert and Marion Anderson, and viola Jennifer Saila.  The program will include "The Sprague March", The William Sprague - Kate Chase Sprague wedding march and several other Civil War Period musical selections.  In addition to an afternoon of music, poems will be read by students from the Cranston Public Schools Drama Departments.  The Sunday tea is by reservation only, $25 per person for adults; $7 for children under 17 yrs., all checks payable to: RI MOLLUS, and addressed to 1351 Cranston Street, RI 02920.  The reservations deadline is February 10, 2008.

July 20, 2008 - Lincoln's War Governor Takes Command Celebration
Abraham Lincoln appointed Governor William Sprague to take command of all Rhode Island troops sent to defend Washington D.C in July 1861.  William Sprague and Ambrose Burnside led Rhode Islanders at the "First Battle of Bull Run".  To commemorate the event, a Civil War Military living history - drill - hardtack & coffee is scheduled on the grounds of the Governor Sprague Mansion, 1351 Cranston Street, Cranston, Rhode Island.  Families -- parents & children -- are encouraged to attend and stroll the grounds; brief demonstrations, lectures and camp life will transform the grounds into an afternoon of Rhode Island Civil War History honoring Abraham Lincoln and Governor Sprague.  Featured speakers to be announced.  A flag raising ceremony will take place at 1 pm.

September 13, 2008 - Lincoln Visits Rhode Island, A Sprague Mansion Celebration
A lecture symposium, commemorating Abraham Lincoln's visit to Rhode Island by train, and his stops in Woonsocket and Providence.  The event pays tribute to Lincoln's visitation to Rhode Island and honors the birthday of Governor William Sprague's birthday.  Participate in an evening of speakers and discussion as well as light refreshments at the historic Civil War Governor Sprague Mansion.

To learn more about the 2008/2009 Lincoln Bicentennial events at the Governor Sprague Mansion, sponsored by Rhode Island's consortium of the most important and oldest Civil War and Historical organizations, and reserve your attendance, contact the Rhode Island Sprague Mansion Committee Chair-people working on all events being planned to celebrate and honor the Bicentennial of the Birth of Abraham Lincoln as well as all Rhode Island Civil War Veterans in 2009.