History will be made in Washington County again.  Washington County is well known for being a focal point for Kentucky history.  On June 3, 2006, Lincoln Homestead State Park will be the site for the Lincoln Wedding Bicentennial Celebration. 

Since pioneer days, the County has played an important role in the development of Kentucky.  One of the events that took place in the County would have far reaching effects.  People at the time would have taken little notice.  The wedding of a young couple did not seem to be an event that would shape the course of history.  This wedding did affect history.   On June 12, 1806, Thomas Lincoln married Nancy Hanks.  One of the children of that union became the sixteenth President of the United States—Abraham Lincoln.  Historians often rank Lincoln as the nation’s greatest chief executive.

On June 3, 2006, the observance of the marriage of Thomas Lincoln and Nancy Hanks will again affect history.  The event marks the beginning of the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Celebration that culminates in the bicentennial of Lincoln’s birth in 1809.  Lincoln Homestead Park is the site of the Lincoln Wedding Celebration.  A number of events surrounding the observance of the ceremony are planned.  History will come alive with the interpretation of the wedding, infare, and other events of historical significance.  Elaine Simms, coordinator of the Lincoln Wedding, feels that this event will set the tone for the Lincoln Bicentennial.  “The success of the Washington County celebration will set a standard for the rest of the Lincoln Bicentennial.” Said Simms.  “The Lincoln Wedding is the beginning of a series of celebrations of the life of one of America’s greatest men.  We are very proud that Washington County is playing such an important role in honoring Abraham Lincoln.”

In the coming weeks we will explore many historical facets of the Lincoln legacy in Washington County, and also the great contribution Lincoln made to American history.  We will look at the family background of Lincoln and discuss some of the events that shaped his life.  History will be made as Washington County opens the Lincoln Bicentennial.