Lincoln c Kristin Helberg 2012
Lincoln portrait with Early American Vinegar Grained frame by Kristin Helberg
When I was a little girl growing up in Pennsylvania, my father attended a special ball in Gettysburg dressed as Abraham Lincoln. My mother attended as his wife Mary Todd. The year was 1965 and it was a Centenial Ball of the Civil war.
Since my father was 6'5" with dark hair and eyes and often mistaken for the actor Gregory Peck, it was an easy transition for him to add a theatrical beard and a dark suit and top hat. Photos were posted in all the local papers of my parents in their Civil war finery dancing the night away. We were so proud of them.
My parents made history come alive for us with reenactment celebrations in Gettysburg and many trips to the wonderful museums in Washington, DC.
My love of history has stayed with me in my artwork . My early American vinegar grained boxes are featured in the gift shop of the National Archives Museum in Washington DC as well as the Lincoln portrait in archival giclee prints on canvas.
If only my parents were still alive to see what they inspired.