How President Lincoln Would Celebrate America 250 (and the books he'd read)

How President Lincoln Would Celebrate America 250 (and the books he'd read)

From Book Lounge by Libby by Book Lounge by Libby

July 2, 2026 · 55 min

About this episode

The episode explores how to celebrate America's 250th anniversary with a focus on Lincoln's legacy and book recommendations.

As the United States prepares to commemorate America 250, how can we celebrate the nation's history while also making room for reflection, honesty, and meaningful conversation? This week on Book Lounge by Libby, Cameron Walpole, Associate Director of Interpretation and Public Programs, and Callie Hawkins, Executive Director of President Lincoln's Cottage in Washington, DC, join the show to explore how their organization is approaching America's 250th anniversary with thoughtfulness, curiosity, and a commitment to telling a fuller story of our shared history. The conversation dives into Abraham Lincoln's enduring legacy, why President Lincoln's Cottage remains such an important place today, and how books help us better understand both the past and the present. Then, for a fun twist, Cameron and Callie recommend books they think President Lincoln would have loved reading if he were browsing a library today. Whether you're a history enthusiast, a Lincoln admirer, or simply looking for thought-provoking nonfiction and historical fiction recommendations, this episode offers fresh perspectives on American history, civic engagement, and the power of reading. For more info, check out…

People in this episode

Guests: Cameron Walpole, Callie Hawkins

Topics covered

Keywords

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: President Lincoln's Cottage

Books & works: Differ We Must, Macbeth, Wonder, Joyful Anyway, You Better Be Lightn

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