Lincoln Ideas Forum: Fear Itself

During the Civil War, Americans feared losing their family members on the battlefield and on the auction block. They worried about a changing social order, disruption to their way of life, military occupation, and financial hardship. Lincoln, no doubt, had fears of his own. Personal failure had unfathomable consequences for the nation and the military guard encamped here at the Soldiers’ Home were a constant reminder of the threat to his personal safety.

Join us as we explore how the universal emotion of fear has shaped our nation. According to a 2024 Champan University study, Americans reported fearing corrupt government officials, biological, cyber, and nuclear warfare, economic security, and the suffering and death of loved ones. This list of fears tells us much about our current moment. But, how have unconscious fears around identity, belonging, and safety shaped the structures of our nation? How has fear wedged Americans apart? When has fear brought us together?

President Lincoln’s Cottage hosts the annual Lincoln Ideas Forum to commemorate Lincoln’s last visit to the Cottage, which was the day before his assassination. The Forum brings together scholars and practitioners from distinct disciplines to give voice to topics and perspectives that connect the history of this place and what Lincoln accomplished here with how his ideas and life are understood today.

Sergeant Aquilino Gonnell is a Dominican immigrant, an Iraq War veteran, and a former United States Capitol Police officer. He’s been featured on ABC, CBS, CNN, Telemundo, Univision, and NPR, and in The New York Times, The Washington Post, and El Diario. He is a recipient of the Congressional Gold Medal and the Presidential Citizens Medal. Find Sgt. Gonell at AquilinoGonell.com

Andrea Jones is a museum consultant, educator, and big-picture thinker. She designs and facilitates learning experiences that enable people to widen their perspectives, learn about themselves, and connect with our common humanity.

At the heart of her work are her values in action: empathy-building, curiosity, and creativity.

Before consulting, Andrea served in several leadership positions within museums, including The Atlanta History Center, Accokeek Foundation, and Smithsonian's Anacostia Community Museum. Find Andrea at PeakExperienceLab.com

Armed Forces Retirement Home

President Lincoln’s Cottage is on the grounds of the Armed Forces Retirement Home. Security for the Armed Forces Retirement Home requires visitors to show valid identification at the security gate in order to enter the property. Please be prepared to show your ID.

Exploring beyond the boundaries of President Lincoln's Cottage is not permitted and results in trespassing on federal property.

All events are considered public events for the purpose of photography and video.

Contact

Questions? Contact President Lincoln’s Cottage with any questions at 202-829-0436 or [email protected].

This event is free for members. Members should email to secure a place. Not a member yet? Become one .

If you're not able to join us in person, please tune in to the livestream day-of, and register using a Virtual ticket.

The event will be livestreamed from our YouTube Channel. To access the livestream, please click here: https://www.youtube.com/@LincolnsCottage/streams or go to https://www.youtube.com/user/lincolnscottage and click “Live."

If it is 10:00am and the livestream has not yet started, try refreshing your screen.

If you need support, please contact Haley Bryant at [email protected] or 202-618-3403.

Looking to explore the themes of the Forum further? Please join us after the Forum for lunch and an onsite workshop on fear and action in community. Lunch will be served on the Cottage lawn and then the workshop will take place from 1-2PM.

To attend the workshop, please register for a "Forum + Extension" ticket, and plan to bring with you an example of a news headline that scares you.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

President Lincoln's Cottage, 140 Rock Creek Church Road Northwest, Washington, United States