Lock of Lincoln's Hair Donated to Gettysburg National Military Park

Date: June 30, 2011
Contact: Katie Lawhon, [phone], ext. 3121

Framed lock of Lincoln's hair removed during the autopsy of the president.

K. Lawhon, NPS

Heritage Inns, Inc., of Gettysburg, has donated an unusual artifact to Gettysburg National Military Park - a lock of Abraham Lincoln's hair. The lock of hair was collected by Dr. Robert K. Stone during the autopsy conducted following President Lincoln's death. This framed lock of hair was later presented by Dr. Stone to Enoch Pratt, a prominent unionist and philanthropist in Baltimore. The hair is framed and dated by Dr. Stone, "April 1865."

The donation was presented to Gettysburg National Military Park Superintendent Bob Kirby on June 29 in the offices of Heritage Inns, Inc.

"The lock of Lincoln's hair will become part of the permanent collection of Gettysburg National Military Park and will go on display in the museum later this year," said Bob Kirby, Superintendent of Gettysburg National Military Park. "This is one of those special objects that gives you the chills when you see it."

"We want to thank Heritage Inns for their generous donation to the American public," added Kirby.

Thomas E. Metz, owner of Heritage Inns, Inc. and Gettysburg Tours, Inc. presented the donation along with Max Felty, of Gettysburg Tours Inc., representing the late Ron Felty, an owner of Heritage Inns, and Donna McCleaf, executrix of the late Ken Rohrbaugh's estate. Mr. Rohrbaugh was also an owner of Heritage Inns, Inc.

Heritage Inns, Inc. operates the Hall of Presidents Museum, Soldiers Museum and Jennie Wade House Museum. It is a locally owned company that has provided quality visitor services since 1969.

Gettysburg National Military Park is a unit of the National Park Service that preserves and protects the resources associated with the Battle of Gettysburg and the Soldiers' National Cemetery, and provides an understanding of the events that occurred there within the context of American History. Information is available at www.nps.gov/gett.