HARROGATE, Tenn. — The Abraham Lincoln Library and Museum (ALLM) invites children ages 5 and under, and their caregivers, to a monthly program entitled “Tad’s Tots.” The age-appropriate history program wrapped up 2018 with a Christmas edition Dec. 12.

“Abraham Lincoln may not have had a Christmas tree in his home or White House, but he would have been familiar with the 1823 poem ‘The Night Before Christmas,’ then called ‘A Visit From St. Nicholas,’” said Natalie Sweet, ALLM program coordinator.

Sweet read the Christmas favorite to guests during story time and led them in making a Christmas wreath, which was another Lincoln-era tradition for the season.

Named for President Lincoln’s youngest son Thomas “Tad” Lincoln, the free program is offered monthly at the ALLM. The next program is set for Jan. 8 at 10 a.m. and features the children’s story A is for America which teaches about the nation’s history through the alphabet and includes an “L” for Lincoln. After a museum alphabet scavenger hunt, the program wraps up with an alphabet craft project.

Tad’s Tots is always a free event, but registration is required. Contact Sweet for more information or register by email at natalie.sweet@LMUnet.edu.

ALLM also hosted the Firelight Learners on Dec. 12. Students were introduced to the celebration of Christmas during the Civil War, learned about popular Christmas tales that were written during Lincoln’s lifetime, such as “A Christmas Carol” and “The Night Before Christmas,” and made traditional 19th century children’s Christmas crafts.

Firelight Learners is an ALLM monthly program for homeschool children from a range of ages and teaches about topics such as history, science, civics and the arts. This program also resumes Jan. 8 at 1 p.m. when students will learn about Civil War weaponry and artillery. This is a special chance for participants to get up close and examine some of the holdings from the ALLM 3-D vault and a chance to learn about the mortar shell recently found on campus.

The program is free, but the regular $2 museum group rate will apply for all children. Adult chaperones are free. For more information, contact Program Coordinator Natalie Sweet at natalie.sweet@lmunet.edu

The Abraham Lincoln Library and Museum is located on the historic campus of Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, Tennessee. Housing one of the top five Lincoln and Civil War private collections in the world, the Museum is open Monday-Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from noon to 5 p.m.

For more information about this and other programs at the Abraham Lincoln Library and Museum, call 423-869-6235.