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PHILADE LPHI&THURSDAY, MARCH2, 1 967
Photo by Charles r. Higgins, of The SulletiM
RENEWED INTEREST in Abraham Lincoln, prompted by recent Lincoln birth-
day programs, causes Dr. Herman Blum to check an old volume -as he prepares
a t al k on Lincoln. Another volume in Blum's museum in Frankford is read by Mrs.
Bl um, who acts as museum curator. In lower photo, Dr. Blum studies a letter
written by Mary Todd Lincoln following the assassination.
Museum in- Northeast
Mirrors Lincoln for
Scholars'and Citizens
By ERMA PERRY
}ere at Blumhaven Museum In Frankford was a
letter edged in black.
It was in the handwriting of Mary Todd Lincoln,
the wife of the assassinated president, and told of
her sad plight following the tragedy, her lack of
funds and mistreatment.
This is only one of many Lincoln letters collected
by Dr. Herman Blum, Frankford industrialist, 4651
Leiper st, for the museum in his home.
Dr. Blum holds two honorary doctorates.
Here are the original newspapers announcing the
assassipation and circulars offering rewards for the
killer. One wall is covered with original Lincoln car-
toons.
"EVERY FEBRUARY I look forward to the
registered mail bringing me more cartoons," said
Dr. Blum, who found that recent Lincoln birthday
rogra'ms produced a renewed interest in the Great
Emancipator.
Dr. Blum first became Interested in Lincoln
when working his way through the University of Wis-
consin.
"One of Lincoln's former brigadier generals,
Carl Schurz, was giving a talk which I covered. Af-
terwards he gave me his two-page handwritten
notes."
That was a long time ago, because Herman
Blum is now a young 82. He is much too occupied
to become old and hastens up and down the stairs
for forgotten material like a youngster.
"Lincoln is the answer for anyone who has limit-
ed education, no social position, and who has to
make his way in the world," Dr. Blum said; "He is
the American dream. He never was a governor, U. S.
Continued on Page 4, Col. 4