Vote for the Boston Harbor Islands

The U.S. Mint has decided to continue its program of dedicating the reverse of a quarter ("tails") to an image related to one of the fifty states. Last time around, the Massachusetts quarter featured a depiction of the Minuteman statue in Concord superimposed over the state. This time, the quarter will feature national historical places, national parks, or other sites of national interest. You can help choose which site is featured on the quarter by voting at this web site. There are many worthy choices. I'm biased, obviously based on my book, but I'm casting a vote for the Boston Harbor Islands (under Suffolk County), home of the nation's first lighthouse, Boston Light, which has greeted visitors to Boston and immigrants to America for nearly 300 years. I think the beacon would be a great image for the quarter. You can vote as often as you like, so here's your chance to legally vote early and vote often. 

Lincoln's Birthday at Forbes House Museum

This February 12 marks the bicentennial of the birth of Abraham Lincoln, and there are a number of celebrations planned in the Boston area. The Forbes House Museum has a Lincoln Day celebration this Sunday that includes Civil War reenactors from the Massachusetts 22nd and 54th Regiments, a living history team portraying President and Mrs. Lincoln, and period music from a naval band. Guests will also get to peak inside a replica of Lincoln's log cabin birthplace that was built at the behest of Mary Bowditch Forbes, who used to live in the mansion that now houses the museum. Guests can also see her extensive collection of Lincoln artifacts. You can read more about the Lincoln collection and the museum in an article I wrote for last Sunday's travel section of The Boston Globe.

Another commemoration will be held at the Second Church in Dorchester, at the corner of Washington Street and Talbot Avenue. In conjunction with Gordon College, the church will host a Lincoln birthday party on February 112 from 7 to 9 PM. In addition to cake, the church will have a special display of archive material telling the story of the church's role in Lincoln's Dorchester presidential campaigns and its contributions to the Civil War. The exhibit is also open February 6 (6-8 PM), February 7 (10 AM-2PM), and February 10 (2-5 PM).