An official Lincoln-Douglas Debate Sesquicentennial Event

The Pleasure of Your Company is Requested at the

1858 Grand Ball

Saturday, August 30, 2008

8 pm to 11 pm

The Masonic Temple Ballroom

305 - 315 W. Stephenson Street

Freeport, Illinois  U.S.A.

Music Provided by the

The First Brigade Band

h Historic Dress Preferred But Not Required  f

In 1858 Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas, both running for State Senator, met in seven places throughout Illinois to debate.  This year is the 150th Anniversary of the historic Lincoln-Douglas Debates, and all seven locations are hosting celebrations to honor the anniversary.

The Freeport, Illinois celebration will be on August 30th and 31st and September 1st of 2008 (Labor Day Weekend).  Events will include a parade; a dedication ceremony at the original debate site; "Art in the Park," a fun day for the whole family at Krape Park;  "Flavors of Lincoln's Freeport," a food and music festival highlighting Freeport's ethnic heritage and food; museum exhibits; and a torch-light parade welcoming both candidates as they arrive in town on an authentic, working steam train. 

The highlight of the weekend will be the 1858 Grand Ball held at the Masonic Temple Ballroom on Saturday evening, August 30, 2008.  Tickets are $20 per person in advance and $25 per person at the door (if there are any available that night). 

The Masonic Temple Ballroom in downtown Freeport is indoors, air-conditioned, and has a tile dance floor.  Scroll down or click here for a map of Saturday's events in downtown Freeport.

If you've seen the First Brigade Band before, you're used to seeing them looking sharp in their Civil War uniforms.  Because the Brodhead Brass Band didn't wear uniforms yet in 1858, our band won't either.  This photo shows the band with their antique instruments dressed as a typical town band of 1858.

Music will be provided by the First Brigade Band - and if you haven't heard them, you're in for a special treat!  They are the oldest recreated Civil War brass band, playing original music from the band books of the period on original antique instruments.  They've been bringing historical music to life for over forty years.

Freeport has a special place in the hearts of the volunteers of the First Brigade Band.  The Band started as a town band in 1857, known as the Brodhead Brass Band at the time.  In 1858 the Brodhead Brass Band played at the original Freeport Lincoln-Douglas Debate, punctuating for both candidates as they spoke.  This was long before microphones were invented, so even though the crowd of spectators was huge very few could actually hear the two candidates speak.  But everyone could hear the band!

Most of the music played that night will be music written before 1858 - with two exceptions.  The First Brigade Band plan to play "Mary's Polka."  The music was written for Mrs. Lincoln and was intended to be played at a ball at the White House on February 20, 1862.  However, their son Willie was very sick, and even though Lincoln and Mary both attuned the ball, they both frequently slipped away to visit Willie upstairs.  He took a turn for the worse, and died at 5 pm that evening.  Lincoln and Mary never heard the polka written for her. 

The second exception will be "Honor to Our Soldiers."  It was intended to be sung at Ford's Theatre as an encore after the conclusion of the play "Our American Cousin" on April 14, 1865.  Lincoln was shot, the play was not finished and Lincoln never heard the special encore written in his honor.

Tickets are Sold Out! 

We have reached our ticket limit.  Tickets are sold out, and there are no other tickets available.

Thank you to everyone who bought a ticket!  I'm sure you'll have a fabulous time as you dance the night away at this historic event!

• You can learn that night!  The band will provide instructions, and Floor Managers will guide you through the simple steps.  The Virginia Reel, the Grand March and the Patty-Cake Polka are all simple enough that you can learn them with just a few minutes of instruction.  Remember, 19th century dancing was a social activity.  The dances are simple and repetitive, and intended to be basic enough so that you can hold a conversation while you dance. 

   

• Everyone is welcome at the Galena Historic Dance Society.  We meet at 7 pm on the fourth Tuesday of each month at the ARC on Bench Street in Galena.  All skill levels are welcome, and absolutely no experience is necessary - we enjoy sharing our love of learning 19th century dance and are always glad to teach newbies!  We gather in historic costume for formal balls or special events, but we wear jeans and comfy shoes for our monthly Tuesday night dancing.  You do not need a partner, and all attendees are asked to pay $1 per person towards the rental of the room. 

Map for Saturday's Events in Downtown Freeport