Spiraling Tower of 15,000 Books Celebrates Abraham Lincoln at Ford’s Theatre

Posted By Nathaniel Ross On February 19, 2012 @ 2:05 am In Art,carousel showcase,Features,Recycled Materials | 3 Comments

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This past Sunday marked the 203rd anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's birth, and the official opening of the Ford's Theatre ^[6] Center for Education and Leadership in Washington, DC. The $60 million dollar project features an exhibit with hundreds of Lincoln artifacts and objects - and it also includes an awe-inspiring, three-story “Tower of Books ^[7]” sculpture comprised of over 15,000 titles that have been written about President Lincoln over the last 150 years. Visitors can walk up the impressive spiral glass staircase around the books to get an idea of the sheer size of Lincoln's imprint, and the influence he had on his fellow countrymen.

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The Ford’s Theatre ^[6] Center for Education and Leadership features an expansive array of historical objects related to Abraham Lincoln, including a replica train car that transported him in repose from Washington to his home in Illinois following his 1865 assassination (in Ford’s Theatre). The most awe-inspiring installation, however is the massive “Tower of Books” made from over 15,000 hardback books ^[8] written about President Lincoln.

Constructing the “Tower” was no small feat – the books were secured into the sculpture one by one. These 15,000+ books average out to over 100 books a year written about Lincoln since his death in 1865. An insatiable reader himself, Lincoln would undoubtedly smile and be humbled at this tribute to his legacy as a visionary American leader.

+ Ford’s Theatre ^[9]

Via Design You Trust ^[10]

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[5]  : http://inhabitat.com/spiraling-tower-of-15000-books-celebrates-abraham-lincoln-at-the-fords-theatre/lincoln-tower-of-books-3/?extend=1

[6] Ford's Theatre: http://www.fordstheatre.org/

[7] Books: http://inhabitat.com/matej-krens-idiom-is-a-spellbinding-tower-made-from-hundreds-of-books/

[8] hardback books: http://inhabitat.com/incredible-house-sculpture-made-from-hundreds-of-recycled-books-by-cardiffmiller/

[9] + Ford’s Theatre: http://fords.org/home/plan-your-visit/daytime-visits-fords-theatre/center-education-and-leadership/images

[10] Design You Trust: http://designyoutrust.com/2012/02/10/tower-of-books/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+dyt+%28Design+You+Trust%29&utm_content=Google+Reader

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