“Lincoln” Visits Parker Home for Presidents’ Day Celebration

Highland Park—Eighty-one people packed the Chapel at Parker Home® on River Road in Highland Park on February 18th for their annual Presidents’ Day celebration. The free, open-to-the-community event included a performance by Abraham Lincoln impersonator Robert Costello. His presentation not only cited historical facts, but also revealed much about the personal life and personality of the 16th president of the United States. Costello’s unique approach makes the audience feel as though they are in Lincoln’s presence. The program tells the story of Lincoln from his humble beginnings on a rural farm, his relationships, marriage, political career and family, to his presidency, the Civil War, and the night of his assassination.

“At one time, the papers referred to me as a two-bit speaker,” said Robert Costello, while portraying Abraham Lincoln.  Newspapers may have thought that of President Lincoln during his time in office, but there wasn’t anything small-time about Costello’s impersonation. The residents at Parker Home and audience members from surrounding areas in central New Jersey described the presentation as “spot on,” “touching” and “riveting.”

“He really gets into character and becomes Abraham Lincoln right before your eyes,” said Joyce Casale of Edison.

To kick off the presentation, Costello gave an overview of “firsts” and “only” facts about President Lincoln.  “I’m the first Republican president. I’m the first president from the frontier, ‘cause in my time, Illinois was the frontier. I’m the only president who was a postmaster. I’m the only president who holds a patent. I’m also the only president to appear on the battlefield during a battle while serving in office,” remarked Costello as Lincoln.

“Everything about the performance, from Costello’s suit to his hair color, gave the impression that President Lincoln was present,” said one Parker Home volunteer.

“We’ve seen him at a number of speaking engagements. He’s accurate and knows how to hold an audience,” said Bob Bjornsen of Piscataway.

The presentation closed with Lincoln’s most acclaimed speech, the “Gettysburg Address” and several members in the audience joined Costello in reciting parts of the historical oration. “I learned it in school,” remarked Joyce Goldstein, a resident at Parker.  A loud round of applause followed the speech, to which “Lincoln” joked, “That was probably more applause than I got in my day.”

History buffs Mike Krantz of East Brunswick and Angelo Zecca of South Brunswick remarked that “Costello’s presentation was spot on.”

“He included many tidbits and things you wouldn’t normally see in the history books,” said Mike Kranz, Associate Professor of National Security Studies at New Jersey City University and a Lincoln enthusiast.   

Robert Costello, a resident of Piscataway, has also been active in Civil War reenactments for more than 20 years. He gives several speaking engagements every year and also leads school programs and historical events.