Berlin Historical Society Has Relic Dating Back To Lincoln's Election

Berlin Historical Society

BERLIN, CT — The Berlin Historical Society is showcasing its cherished 1860 historic Wide Awakes lantern as part of the new “The Wide Awakes” exhibit on view at its museum.

The lantern dates back to the Wide Awakes grassroots movement that began in Hartford in February 1860 and quickly spread across the North after Abraham Lincoln received the Republican presidential nomination in May 1860.

Motivated by Lincoln’s platform, which included abolishing slavery and ensuring states’ rights, members of this pseudo-military group held marches, wearing a uniform of black hats and capes to protect them from the dripping oil lanterns that became a defining feature of their parades.

The museum’s lantern is the original one presented by the women of Berlin as a gift to the Berlin chapter of the Wide Awakes in September 1860, during an evening celebrating the Wide Awakes at the Worthington Meeting House, then the Berlin Town Hall.

This lantern was carried by the Berlin chapter at Lincoln’s inauguration parade in March 1861, joining fellow Wide Awakes chapters to celebrate their role in Lincoln’s election victory.

“We consider the Berlin Wide Awakes lantern our most valuable artifact both for its beautiful craftsmanship and because it bore witness to one of the most important chapters of American history. We are grateful to Irving Moy for his Lincoln and Civil War expertise in designing this exhibit and his donation of Lincoln artifacts to it,” said Berlin Historical Society Museum Curator Heidi Kropf.

In addition to the fragile original lantern, the exhibit includes a replica that was created by Berlin artist Kristen Zarabozo for display at the Connecticut Museum of Culture and History (CMCH), which recently had its own Wide Awakes exhibit.

The public is invited to visit the Museum at 305 Main St., Berlin, to learn more about this historical movement and Berlin’s role in a seminal chapter of U.S. history.

The Wide Awakes exhibit joins several other new exhibits added for the 2025 season.

Displays highlight Berlin’s place on the Connecticut Freedom Trail, look back at Berlin’s agricultural history through its once-vibrant Grange chapter, and expand the popular Sherri Cup exhibit.

Visitors can also learn more about the two Berlin historical figures featured on the new outdoor banners at the Museum: Sherri Cup Marketing Director Leslie Buck and Berlin benefactress Marjorie Moore.

For more information on the Berlin Historical Society Museum, 305 Main St., click on this link.