In-Person, Virtual

Clinton Presidential Center Presents “The Cinematic Journey of Abraham Lincoln”

Join us on Tuesday, October 22 at 6 p.m. CT / 7 p.m. ET when the Clinton Presidential Center Presents “The Cinematic Journey of Abraham Lincoln,” a captivating exploration of films that have portrayed President Lincoln.

Dr. Ian Hunt, chief of acquisitions at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, will present and explore various films that have portrayed President Lincoln, from silent shorts to Steven Spielberg’s 2012 historical drama, “Lincoln.”


Over nearly one hundred sixty years and in over 300 films, Abraham Lincoln has appeared on screen more than any other historical figure and more than any other character except for Sherlock Holmes. Dr. Hunt worked directly with Daniel Day-Lewis to prepare him for the 2012 Lincoln movie. He’ll discuss the historical accuracy of different films and note when directors and producers took artistic license.

This program is held in conjunction with our current temporary exhibit “Commanding the Screen: The American Presidency in Film and Television.”

About “Commanding the Screen”

“Commanding the Screen” presents the leading role of the president in American society through the lens of television and film. This exhibition invites visitors to explore cinematic performances of fictional and real-life presidents, and examine how America’s spirit, values, and historical journey are reflected in these portrayals of the Commander in Chief. It features original costumes, authentic props, and other memorabilia from portrayals of the American presidency on screen.

ASL interpretation is available during our events.

Clinton Presidential Center Presents is a partnership between the Clinton Foundation, Clinton School of Public Service at the University of Arkansas, and Clinton Presidential Library.

About Hunt

Dr. Ian Hunt serves as the chief of acquisitions and special projects at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, a position he has held since 2016. He began his career at the ALPLM in January of 2006 as an intern conducting research on the museum’s 2006 temporary exhibit on the lives of the First Ladies, “Mrs. President: From Martha to Laura.” Over the last 17 years, Ian has held different positions as a historian with both the library and the museum, as well as its foundation, researching the collections and their relationships to the Lincoln family and Illinois history in general.

Dr. Hunt has written frequently on the Civil War, Slavery, Lincoln, and the Secession Crisis and has appeared in numerous publications including the New York Times, Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, and St. Louis Post-Dispatch, as well as giving television and radio interviews both locally and nationally. His upcoming book on the Secession Crisis tentatively titled “Sectional Larceny,” is being published by the University of Illinois Press and is expected to be released in 2025. He received his Ph.D. from Southern Illinois University and in addition, holds a master’s certificate in Museum Science from the University of Missouri at St. Louis.  He has consulted on numerous television, movie, and book projects, which places him in a unique position to understand the ever-changing landscape in the world of Lincolniana.