By David J. Kent
Washington, D.C.
Tuesday, March 18, 2025
The Lincoln Group of DC has always had a close connection with the government here in Washington, DC, both city and federal. As we celebrate our 90-year anniversary, we've revisited our interactions with presidents, congressmen, and other dignitaries. Lately, we've also begun a connection with the White House Historical Association (WHHA), in particular their recurring program called History Happy Hour.
The History Happy Hour is a series of programs featuring 20-minute presentations by a variety of speakers, usually connected in some way with the presidency. The series title comes from an opening segment in which an "episode-inspired libation" is created for the viewers. There is a moderator to introduce the bartender and speaker, and then after the speaker's presentation, the moderator manages the Q&A session.
Lincoln Group of DC members have served in both moderator and speaker roles.
It all began in March of 2024 with LGDC member Carl Adams's presentation on Nance Legins-Costley based on his book, Nance. Carl asked David J. Kent to moderate, and the program was very well received.
A few months later, David J. Kent presented his own program on how Abraham Lincoln helped institutionalize science and technology, based on his book, Lincoln: The Fire of Genius. David asked John O'Brien to moderate that program, which again was very well received.
Recently, the WHHA reached back out to both John and David to moderate the two newest programs as of this writing. On February 27, John moderated a program by WHHA historian Lina Mann on Elizabeth Keckly's Journey from Slavery to the Lincoln White House. Then on March 13, David moderated a program by Michael Vorenberg on his new book, Lincoln's Peace.
But there is more! David is tentatively scheduled to do a program on his forthcoming book, due out in February 2026, about Lincoln's two tours of New England. More information on that as the time gets closer.
All of the WHHA program videos are available online via Vimeo. There is quite a variety of topics related to presidential history, and it's well worth the time to check out.
As Lincoln Group of DC past president and historian, I encourage all LGDC members to engage with the community in any capacity you can. Host gatherings at libraries, speak at local church groups, and write for local (or national or international) newspapers and magazines. And definitely let us know what you're up to so we can promote it here on Lincolnian.org, in our Lincolnian newsletter, and in the Lincolniana column I write for the Lincoln Herald.
[Photo credit: First known photo of the White House, during the James K. Polk administration, courtesy of White House Historical Society]
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