Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum News


	For Immediate Release: October 28, 2009	Contact: David Blanchette (217) 558-8970
	1909 Cherry Mine Disaster 100th anniversary authors' program and musical performance November 7 at Presidential Library SPRINGFIELD - A round table discussion and book signing with authors who have written about the 1909 Cherry Mine Disaster, as well as a special musical performance, will be held Saturday, November 7 at 6 p.m. at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library in downtown Springfield. The program coincides with the November 1 opening of exhibit, "The Flames Caught Us": Cherry Mine 1909. Authors participating in the November 7 discussion include: Karen Tintori, Trapped: The 1909 Cherry Mine Disaster; Dean and Lorena (Galletti) Cotton, Oneness: Angiolina, The 1909 Cherry Mine Disaster; Steve Stout, Black Damp: The Story of the Cherry Mining Disaster; and Ronald Bluemer, Fire Below! Musician Ray Tutaj Jr. will offer a musical performance dedicated to the Cherry Mine Disaster. Books may be purchased during the November 7 event, or those attending may bring their own copies for the authors to sign. The exhibit will be open for viewing following the program. The November 7 discussion is free and open to the public, but reservations must be made by calling (217) 558-8934. The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library's Cherry Mine Disaster exhibit runs through March 31, 2010. The exhibit commemorates a tragedy that killed 259 people and inspired the passage of key coal mine safety legislation. The exhibit may be viewed free of charge Sunday, November 1 and then Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Presidential Library Atrium. Viewing will be closed on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 26, but the exhibit will also be open that weekend, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, November 27, 28 and 29. For more information about the programs and collections of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, visit www.presidentlincoln.org. ###