FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

HARTFORD, CT (October 7, 2024) — On Thursday, October 17 at 6 pm, the Connecticut Museum of Culture and History, a Smithsonian Affiliate, will welcome guest speaker Jon Grinspan for a free public event entitled, “Wide Awake: The Connecticut Youth Movement that Elected Lincoln.” 

Jon Grinspan is a Curator of Political History at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History, and frequent contributor to the New York Times. His third published book, Wide Awake: The Forgotten Force that Elected Lincoln and Spurred the Civil War, will be the focus of the evening’s presentation.  

In the election before the Civil War, five young activists who were opposed to slavery in Connecticut founded what Grinspan considers, “one of the largest, strangest, and most consequential mass movements in American history.” Marching in organized, torchlit rallies, the Wide Awakes launched a grassroots campaign that became a nationwide movement that helped elect Lincoln, but also sparked the Civil War, exploring the boundaries between political speech and political organizing, as well as democracy and war.  

“The Connecticut Museum maintains the rich collections and expert staff that made writing about the Wide Awakes and reclaiming this lost story possible,” Jon Grinspan said. “I am thrilled to speak to the Museum’s audience about the rich, unique political history of their state.”  

“We are honored that Jon Grinspan will be expanding on the exhibition by sharing his research and findings outlined in his book at the Connecticut Museum,” Robert Kret, Executive Director and CEO said. “We look forward to hearing more about his research findings on the Wide Awakes and are grateful to the Smithsonian for providing collaborative opportunities such as this event to their Affiliates.” 

Prior to the event, attendees will have the opportunity to tour the Museum’s new exhibition, Wide Awakes: Campaigning for Lincoln, which features objects, photographs, and more highlighting the story and exploring the legacy of the Wide Awakes’ Hartford-area founders. The event will begin at 6 pm, and light refreshments will be served. While this event is free and open to the public, the Museum highly recommends reserving tickets in advance at: https://www.connecticutmuseum.org/event/wide-awakes-grinspan/ 

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About the Connecticut Museum of Culture and History 

The Connecticut Museum of Culture and History is a private, nonprofit organization established in 1825 as the state’s premier historical society, and home for folk and traditional arts support since 2015. Located in the historic West End of Hartford, the Museum houses exhibitions, a library, a research center, and a vast collection that includes more than 4 million manuscripts, graphics, objects, and artifacts. The Museum strives to cultivate deep understanding of the history and culture of Connecticut, and its role in the United States and the world, through reflection of the past, active engagement with the present, and innovation for the future through collections, research, educational programs, and exhibitions. To learn more about our ongoing exhibitions and events, please visit: connecticutmuseum.org.  

About the Smithsonian 

Since its founding in 1846, the Smithsonian Institution has been committed to inspiring generations through knowledge and discovery. It is the world’s largest museum, education and research complex, consisting of 21 museums, zoo, education centers, research facilities, cultural centers and libraries. The Smithsonian has more than 6,200 Smithsonian employees and 3,800 volunteers. In 2023, it welcomed more than 18 million visitors. The total number of objects works of art and specimens at the Smithsonian is estimated at more than 157 million. www.si.edu 

Media Contact
Samantha Skeels, Marketing and Communications Manager 
Connecticut Museum of Culture and History 
860-969-6089 x105 
sskeels@connecticutmuseum.org  

Photo: Jon Grinspan, Curator of Political History at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History and author of “Wide Awake: The Forgotten Force that Elected Lincoln and Spurred the Civil War.” Photo credit: Kristina Sherk Photography, 2020