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Mr. and Mrs. Lincoln come back to life in Janesville

Photo

Submitted photo

Max and Donna Davis will portray President Lincoln and his wife, Mary Todd, during 'An Evening with Mr. and Mrs. Lincoln' at the Janesville Country Club on Friday. The dinner kicks off a weekend celebration of Lincoln’s visit to Janesville.

JANESVILLE — Abraham Lincoln may not have remembered Janesville as fondly as the city now remembers the nation's 16th president.

During a visit to the now historic Tallman family home, Lincoln missed his morning train rather than commit a social faux pas: walking through the house in his socks.

Political scandals of the 1800s aside, local residents and the Rock County Historical Society are planning a weekend of events to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Lincoln's birth and the 150th anniversary of his visit. The event is sponsored by Lois Hough in memory of her husband Albert Hough, a former member of the society.

"An Evening with Mr. and Mrs. Lincoln" kicks off the weekend. The performance features Max and Donna Davis as the famous couple. Max and Donna have portrayed Lincoln and his wife, Mary Todd, professionally since 1994.

The show is a series of vignettes focusing on the Lincolns' family life and the famous lawyer's journey from Illinois courthouses to the White House. Bringing the couple's history to life means hours of research for Max and Donna.

"What's been most interesting to me is that although he certainly came from humble beginnings, Lincoln really had that determination and pioneer spirit of the time," Max said.

The celebration of Lincoln continues Saturday at the Tallman House with tours, carriage rides, Civil War era demonstrations and a ladies fashion show.

The house is the only building still standing in Wisconsin that Lincoln slept in, according to Madge Murphy, executive director of the Rock County Historical Society. The society styled the house as if Lincoln were visiting for Saturday's events.

Max and Donna will also be on the grounds of the house Saturday and always entertain children and adults alike, Murphy said.

"Their mannerisms are very period: the way they walk, they way they sit, the way he takes her hands," she said. "Kids' eyes always get just so big when they look up at Max, and he just talks away until they begin asking questions."

Other performers and historians will provide more historical presentations and walk the grounds in period dress. Just don't expect to see Murphy wearing hoop skirts.

"The ladies would stop me (in past years) and say ‘Madge, you must walk very slow,'" she said. "But you should see them in their hoop skirts. It's just a hoot."