Drinkin’ with Lincoln continues. This episode’s guest is not the 16th president, but someone very close to him. Join host Clint Cargile as he interviews Mary Lincoln presenter Laura Keyes. Laura has portrayed Mary Lincoln for over a decade. She also portrays several other strong historical women: Laura Ingalls Wilder, Irene Adler, and Elizabeth Cady Stanton.
In part one, we join Mrs. Lincoln at a Civil War reenactment in Hainesville, Illinois. She’ll discuss her role at these events, how other living history presenters have helped her career, and how she has to battle a system that prefers male over female reenactors. We’ll also meet and hear musicians John and Elaine Masciale, who have inspired and encouraged Laura’s career. Elaine also introduces us to a pretty unique instrument.
Then we travel to nearby Gurnee, Illinois, home to Only Child Brewing, where we sit down for drinks and discuss Laura’s career as a history presenter. She shares how she got started, the research and time involved, and why it’s important that we know the real Mary Lincoln.
Next year marks the 100th anniversary of women’s suffrage. Laura Keyes is taking part in several events, including some created by Rockford’s Women’s Suffrage Centennial 2020. Visit their Facebook page for more information on the many events they have planned for 2020: https://www.facebook.com/WSC2020IL
You can also listen to this episode at these podcast directories:
Show Notes
Lincoln Presenter:
Music:
Mana Kintorso (performed live on Sessions from Studio A)
Locations Visited:
Hainesville Civil War Reenactment, Hainesville, Ill.
Interview Location:
Only Child Brewing, Gurnee, Ill.
Laura’s other characters:
Other Historical Presenters:
Association of Abraham Lincoln Presenters (ALP)
Max & Donna Daniels (Abraham & Mary Lincoln)
Leslie Goddard (Jacqueline Kennedy, et al.)
Kevin Wood (Abraham Lincoln)
Books Mentioned:
Mrs. Lincoln: A Life by Catherine Clinton
Fashionable First Lady by Donna McCreary
Other:
Women’s Suffrage Centennial 2020
Mary Lincoln’s White House China
“Mary Lincoln” – a humorous acoustic song by jazz singer/songwriter Spencer Day
