Museum Open

01-18-12

To Commemorate the Anniversary of Abolition, the New-York Historical Society Displays a Manuscript Copy of the Thirteenth Amendment Signed by Lincoln

Rare Document, On Loan from Collector David Rubenstein, to Be Unveiled at Ceremony February 1

NEW YORK, NY, JANUARY 18, 2012 – As Black History Month begins and Abraham Lincoln’s birthday approaches, the New-York Historical Society is pleased to add to its displays a rare handwritten copy of the Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution—the measure that abolished slavery—signed by Lincoln himself. The document, which was recently acquired by David Rubenstein, managing director of The Carlyle Group, will be on view at New-York Historical in the new Robert H. and Clarice Smith New York Gallery of American History.

Mr. Rubenstein will participate in the unveiling ceremony at noon with a group of eighth-grade American history students from IS 259 in Brooklyn and KIPP Academy in Manhattan. The ceremony will be held at 12:00 PM at New-York Historical on February 1, the 147th anniversary of the signing of the Thirteenth Amendment. It will then be on public display through April 1.

“I am honored to have recently purchased an Abraham Lincoln-signed copy of the Thirteenth Amendment, and am pleased that the first public exhibition since my purchase will be at the New-York Historical Society,” said Mr. Rubenstein. “Along with the Bill of Rights, I believe the Thirteenth Amendment is the most important addition to the Constitution, and I hope as many people as possible will have a chance to see this Amendment in person.”

One of about thirteen manuscripts Lincoln signed in addition to the original, this copy belonged to Schuyler Colfax, House Speaker in 1863 and later Vice President under Ulysses S. Grant. According to S