One day while Dr. Joseph Matheu was shopping at Best Buy, a man recognized him as the collector behind many of the items featured in a Civil War exhibit at McCord Gallery in Palos Park and approached him.
“He told me that my exhibit inspired his son to take up reading,” Matheu said. “That’s a great feeling, to know you encouraged a kid to take an interest in history.”
Sharing memorabilia and stories about the Civil War is one of Matheu’s passions. In 2009, he received the Studs Terkel Humanities Service Award for his dedication to increasing public awareness about what he calls “a pivotal time in American history.”
Matheu’s collection, as well as the collections of other south suburbanites, once again will be on display for “Lincoln & the Civil War,” which opens March 11 at McCord Gallery and continues to March 15.
Among the items showcased will be uniform coats, including the one worn by Samuel Creese at Gettysburg; weapons, letters, strands of Lincoln’s hair and memorabilia from Civil War prisoner of war camps.
Among Matheu’s more prized possessions is a blood-stained portion of the dress worn by actress Laura Keene, who cradled Lincoln as he lay dying.
Also included in the exhibit are several rare photographs of Lincoln that belong to collector David Carroll, an art teacher at Andrew High School in Tinley Park.
And New Lenox resident Dan Michalak, a retired pharmacist, is supplying Civil War-era medical supplies, including apothecary jars and artificial eyeballs, to the display.
Michalak was a patient of Matheu’s for years before both realized they shared a passion for Civil War memorabilia.
“One day we started talking about it and the next thing we know, we’re exhibiting together,” Michalak said. They’ve been collaborating on exhibits for 10 years now.
Michalak, who also has dental instruments, a bleeding kit and an official pardon signed by Lincoln in his possession, said, “I just love history.”
He wants to inspire that same feeling in others.
“By looking at artifacts, we can learn how people lived and how they fought that war,” he said. “We get a better understanding of what people thought in those days.”
Both Matheu and Michalak say that all Americans should be particularly interested in the Civil War, simply because it pitted brother against brother.
Matheu said, “That war really defined who we are. If it had turned out differently, we would be the Divided State of America right now.”
Just as compelling as the relics, Matheu said, are the stories behind them.
On the night of Lincoln’s assassination, the president was joined in the Ford Theatre box by Maj. Henry Rathbone and his fiancee, Clara Harris, Matheu said.
“Rathbone was stabbed twice by (assassin John Wilkes) Booth,” he said. Years later, Rathbone, who was believed to have suffered post-traumatic stress from the ordeal, killed Harris, he said.
“Lincoln & the Civil War” continues through March 15. On March 13, at 7 p.m., noted historian Dr. Ted Karamanski will give a lecture during a special reception.
Gallery Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays to Sundays. Admission to the exhibit is $12, $10 for members, free for 18 and under. The cost to attend the reception is $50.
McCord Gallery is at 9602 W. Creek Road, Palos Park; 708-671-0648, or visit http://mccordgallery.org.
