Name: Lunch & Learn: Lincoln and Ann Rutledge with Guy Fraker
Start: 2025-12-11T12:10:00-06:00
End: 2025-12-11T13:00:00-06:00
Location: 200 N Main St, Bloomington, IL, United States, Illinois 61701

Lunch & Learn: Lincoln and Ann Rutledge with Guy Fraker

Bring your lunch and join us to learn about the story of Abraham Lincoln and Ann Rutledge, the young lady believed by many to have been Lincoln’s first sweetheart on Thursday, December 11, from 12:10 to 1:00 p.m. with author and historian Guy Fraker.
One of the enduring myths in Lincoln history is the legend of Lincoln’s first love, a New Salem woman named Ann Rutledge. The topic remains hotly contended to this day. The relationship, and its impact on Lincoln’s life has been depicted as one of the great love stories in U.S history. When tragedy stuck and Rutledge fell gravely ill and died in 1835, the loss of his first love plunged Lincoln into despair. Fraker’s presentation will be sure to enlighten all as he shares his knowledge of the relationship shared by Lincoln and Rutledge during their time in New Salem.
In addition to publishing two books about Abraham Lincoln and the Eighth Judicial Circuit, Fraker has written and spoken extensively about Abraham Lincoln, not only in the State of Illinois, but at a variety of venues across the country. Additionally, he was a consultant on and participant in Abraham Lincoln: Prelude to the Presidency, an award-winning nationally distributed documentary produced by WILL-TV (PBS). Fraker was also advisor to the Museum’s permanent exhibit Abraham Lincoln in McLean County and co-curator of Prologue to the Presidency, a permanent exhibit at the David Davis Mansion Historic Site. Currently, Fraker continues to contribute to a variety of periodicals, on a wide range of Lincoln topics. He is co-chairman of the New Salem Committee of the Abraham Lincoln Association, which is working with other partners to rejuvenate and revitalize the iconic Lincoln site.
The Museum's Lunch & Learn series is made possible with the support of our presenting sponsor, MCK CPAs & Advisors. This series provides unique learning opportunities every second Thursday of the month over the lunch hour (12:10 to 1:00 p.m.) in person and live via youtube.com/mchistorymuseum.