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September 17, 2024

New exhibit at CT Museum of Culture and History showcases Hartford-based group that helped elect Lincoln, mirrors current political divide

Contributed The Wide Awakes sign.
By Andrew Larson

A new exhibit at the Connecticut Museum of Culture and History focuses on a grassroots movement that began in Hartford and expanded nationwide to help elect Abraham Lincoln in the 1860 presidential election.

The exhibit, called “Wide Awakes: Campaigning for Lincoln,” is on display at the museum, located at 1 Elizabeth St., in the west end of Hartford, from Sept. 14 to March 16, 2025.

Through objects, photographs and documents, the exhibit details a campaign started by four young men – known as the Wide Awakes – during a time of political division in the United States.

“They donned capes as uniforms, marched with torches and signs and matched their bold image with bold actions,” the museum said in an announcement.

The exhibit explores timely and relevant political issues, the museum said.

“We planned to open this exhibition during an election year, knowing that many people have strong feelings about politics and the political division in our country,” said Ben Gammell, director of exhibitions at the Connecticut Museum. “This exhibition is about young adults who took action, not about one party versus another..”

The exhibit features stories about the Wide Awakes, along with personal letters, photos and a hand-painted flag of their symbol, an open eye.

In the late 19th Century, Hartford was a political hotbed. Lincoln famously spoke in the city against the spread of slavery and for the right of workers to strike in March 1860.

The exhibit’s debut will be marked by a celebratory opening reception at 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 19.

Also, at 6 p.m. on Oct. 17 the museum will host Jon Grinspan, curator of political history at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History, for a presentation regarding his latest book, “Wide Awake: The Forgotten Force that Elected Lincoln and Spurred the Civil War.”

Guided Gallery Talks take place once a month, on Sundays at 2 pm. All events are open to the public. 

For more information, visit the exhibit’s website here.

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