Lincoln impersonator to lead downtown pub crawl

LEMONT – Lemont bar-goers on the night of Feb. 13 may be surprised to see an Abraham Lincoln impersonator among the patrons.

He will be leading the Drinkin’ with Lincoln Historic Pub Crawl in downtown Lemont, an event held by the Lemont Area Historical Society.

Participants will be going to six downtown Lemont bars – Stonehouse Pub, Tom’s Place, Canal Street Pub, The Vault, Nick’s and Main Inn – with a historian at each location giving a presentation.

The Lincoln impersonator will serve more as the host of the group rather than a historian.

“He’s not going to be telling the stories,” said historical society president Susan Roy. “He’s going to be part of the fun.”

Roy said the historical society came up with the theme because “Drinkin’ with Lincoln” sounds catchy and the event would be held near Lincoln’s birthday.

She also said convincing a Lincoln impersonator to participate in a pub crawl was not difficult.

The crawl is also part of the historical society’s efforts to engage community members with events outside of the Lemont Historical Museum.

Last year, the historical society held a gathering on the history of Lemont bars at Tom’s Place and on historic Lemont heists at the Vault.

Roy said the historical society is trying to show that history can be fun.

“Rather than trying to make people come to the museum, we’re trying to bring history to the community,” she said.

She said she hopes a pub crawl will attract a younger demographic.

“All of us at the historical society are trying to encourage some younger folks to become interested,” she said.

The event is for ages 21 and older and costs $25.

Participants need to register by Feb. 10 by calling 630-257-2972 or emailing lemonthistorical@gmail.com.

Attendees will receive T-shirts, and history books will be given away.

Roy said attendees are also welcome to come in period dress.