A Mother’s Wish: Bring Our Fallen Home
The Lake Forest-Lake Bluff Historical Society presents the lecture “A Mother’s Wish: Bring our Fallen Home”. This lecture will discuss how the Civil War created the funeral industry and include a demonstration. This lecture will take place at 7 p.m. on Thursday, June 12 at Lake Forest High School’s Dave Miller Theatre. This lecture is free and appropriate for ages 12 and up. No RSVP necessary. This lecture is a part of a year-long celebration of the 125th Anniversary of Wenban Funeral Home.
Playing the role of Dr. Benjamin F. Lyford, following the Battle of Gettysburg, Jon Austin will present a first-person presentation in the style of a 19th century medical school lecture, using a re-enactor "corpse" as a visual aid. His talk will touch on period medicine and chemistry, human anatomy, and the preparation of dead Civil War soldiers for shipping and burial. Also covered are such subjects as 19th century mourning rituals, Lincoln's funeral, and the ways in which modern funeral practices have developed over time.
This event is made possible by a grant from the Illinois Humanities Council. For more information, visit www.lflbhistory.org
