Bryan S. Bush

My Dear Fellow Readers:

I encourage everyone to attend my speech on Lincoln and the Speeds on Sunday July 12, at 2 PM at the J. B. Speed Art Museum. The lecture coincides with their new exhibit on Abraham Lincoln entitled: Beyond the Log Cabin: Kentucky’s Abraham Lincoln, which covers the topics of The Frontier World of Abraham Lincoln,The Lexington World of Young Mary Ann Todd, Lincoln’s Rise, Lincoln and Kentucky at War, Remembering Lincoln Then and Now. Give yourself plenty of time to listen to my lecture and visit the new display on Lincoln. I look forward to meeting everyone.

My fellow readers:

Good news. I received an email from Dr. Blaine Hudson and he stated that he would like to have me as a presenter next year at their conference on Louisville During the Civil War.

My Dear Fellow Readers:

I recently attended the reading of Lincoln in Louisville by David Straub. There were many quotes from the play that are very historical. The play has good and bad moments. The play accuratly portrays slave life on a large plantation, and his portrayal of James Speed and Lucy Speed was accurate, but the play portrayed Lincoln as a radical abolitionist in 1841. He fought twice with the overseer of Farmington, and showed Lincoln to be an angry man over the issue of slavery. Although Lincoln did not like the institution of slavery, I don’t think he would have fought with the overseer at the plantation of his friend Joshua Speed. Plus Lincoln argued slavery in front of Joshua Speed, Mary Speed, Lucy Speed and James Speed. Although Lincoln discussed slavery with James at his law office in Louisville, I doubt that Lincoln would have argued slavery in front of his hosts at the plantation. The subject of slavery was like the big gorilla in the room, everyone saw it but no one discussed it.
The play needs to dwell more into the friendship between Lincoln and Joshua Speed. I think with a little more rewriting I think the play could become a lasting tribute to Lincoln and his friendship with the Speeds.

My Dear Fellow Readers:

I encourage everyone to come out tonight at 7:30 PM at the U of L Thrust Theater to watch the unveiling of the newest play on Abraham Lincoln’s visit to Louisville in 1841. After the play there will be a panel discussion with myself, Dr. Blaine Hudson, Dr. Thomas Mackey, and several other professors. This should be a fun night with a good discussion on Lincoln and the Speeds.

Dear fellow readers:

I just want to thank all the good folks at the Central Ohio Civil War Roundtable. I had a good time and Mr. Peters was a very good host. I hope to go back and see them again soon.

My Dear Fellow Readers:

My first booksigning and lecture for my newest book Louisville During the Civil War: A History and Guide will be at Destinations Booksellers in New Albany, Indiana at 4 PM. I really excited about my newest book and I think you will be too.

My Dear Fellow Readers:

I have added a new book signing for October. On October 6, at the Meade County Library at 6 PM I will be giving a lecture and book signing on Union General Stephen Gano Burbridge. Guerilla warfare ravaged Meade County and General Burbridge personally became involved in the executions of suspected guerillas for the guerilla activity in Meade County. I am also having a radio interview at 11 am that same day, so stay tuned for further developments. Also, Perryville has confirmed that I will be doing a lecture on Lincoln and the Speeds and a book signing at the Perryville Battlefield on Saturday Oct. 11 at noon.

On August 21 at 7:30 PM I will giving a lecture at the Lexington History Museum on Lincoln and the Speeds. I have never been to the museum, so this will be a new experience for me.

My Dear Fellow Readers:

I hope everyone is enjoying their summer. For the last month I have had problems with my internet service, but all of that is now fixed and time to update everyone on my activities. On August 17 at 2 PM at the Conrad-Caldwell House at St. James Court, I will be giving a lecture on the Southern Exposition of 1883. This year is the 125th Anniversary. If you would like to find out more information you can go to the Louisville Historical League’s website or read my article on my site.

My fellow readers: Unfortunately the Borders booksigning was a bust, I only sold about six books, but I did meet some nice people from the National Council on History Educators, who were in town for a conference. They told me that the emphasis for their conference was on Lincoln. They even mentioned Joshua Speed’s friendship with Lincoln. Coming up on April 8th at Harrodsburg, Ky at Morgan Row Museum, I will be giving a lecture on Lincoln and the Speeds. I have never been to the Morgan Row museum so it should be an experience. Hope to see some of you there.