As part of the year-long Ohio Statehouse Lincoln Bicentennial celebration, a special visit by 'Abraham Lincoln' took place in the Statehouse Atrium on September 16, 2009.

Abraham Lincoln re-enactor, Pete Raymond of Wooster, gave a portion of the actual campaign speech that Abraham Lincoln gave to approximately 50 individuals on September 16, 1859. This event took place 150 years later to the day from that historic visit. Raymond also told the story of Lincoln¿s life from birth to assassination while in character as Abraham Lincoln.

Visitors did not only hear Mr. Lincoln's first Ohio Statehouse speech, but they got a personal testimony of the heart-wrenching trials of his presidency and the Civil War. After his presentation, the program concluded with a question and answer session.