The Lincoln Club of Delaware
Starting as an informal group in 1929, The Lincoln Club of Delaware was formally established in 1941 as a non-partisan organization to promote a better understanding of the ideals and achievements of Abraham Lincoln, the sixteenth president of the United States.
Annual Dinner and Events
Each year, on or near February 12, the anniversary of Lincoln’s birth, the Club meets for a memorial dinner to honor the memory of Mr. Lincoln. The central focus of the evening is an address on some aspect of the life and times of our sixteenth president, often delivered by a renowned Lincoln scholar. The list of speakers since 1929 is a virtual who’s who of major Lincoln scholars and enthusiasts, ranging from political figures (e.g., Senators Thomas Bayard, Mark Hatfield, and Paul Simon and Congressman Fred Schwengel) to prominent academic historians (e.g., John Hope Franklin, James H. McPherson, Richard N. Current) to individuals recognized among Lincoln buffs as real students of the Lincoln era. These and other topics exploring our sixteenth president have been addressed at the annual memorial dinner: “Lincoln: Theologian of American Anguish,” “Mr. Lincoln’s Health,” and “A Southerner Looks at Lincoln.”
Annual Dinner Speakers and Topics
In addition to the annual formal birthday dinner in February, the Club sponsors an open Fall reception for its members and guests. Some aspect of Lincoln history is addressed during the Fall reception, which is traditionally held at the DuPont Country Club in Wilmington. A wide range of topics and speakers are represented in our list of past events. In 2021, the Lincoln Club of Delaware began Lincoln book discussions to continue learning from the ever-growing literature and history published about Abraham Lincoln and his times.
Leadership
A Board of Directors, elected at the annual dinner meeting, governs The Lincoln Club of Delaware.
Board of Directors
- President: L. Rebecca Johnson Melvin, MILS, Fellow SAA
- Vice President: Christopher L. Kenny, Esq.
- Secretary: Samuel Waltz, Jr.. APR, Fellow PRSA
- Treasurer: Martin S. Lessner, Esq.
- Brandon Brice, MS, MBA
- Hon. Alan G. Davis
- Joan DelFattore, Ph.D.
- Vernita Dorsey
- Hon. James Hanby
- Hon. Noel Eason Primos
- Hon. Mardi F. Pyott
- Hon. James T. Vaughn, Jr.
- Hon. William L. Witham, Jr.
- Administrator: Karren Helsel-Spry
- Ex officio, Lincoln Collection liaison: L. Rebecca Johnson Melvin, MILS, Fellow SAA