DEATH RELICS OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN!!! | American Artifact Episode 27

The assassination of Abraham Lincoln is an event that has captivated people since 1865. In this episode of American Artifact, we're with Erik Dorr at The Gettysburg Museum of History to examine some RARE artifacts that are connected to the death of America's 16th president. Interesting!
This episode was produced in partnership with The Gettysburg Museum of History. See how you can support history education & artifact preservation by visiting their website & store at www.gettysburgmuseumofhistory...
Get your History Underground MERCH at www.thehistoryundergroundstore.com
Set yourself up with a 10% DISCOUNT on all Origin gear and nutritional products by entering the code "history10" at www.originmaine.com!
Other episodes that you might enjoy:
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- The James Gang: From the FIRST ROBBERY to the FINAL SURRENDER | History Traveler Episode 213: • The James Gang: From t...
- The Bullet That Killed Lincoln!!! | History Traveler Episode 15: • The Bullet That Killed...
- Gettysburg's Most STUNNING Artifact Collection (JFK, Marilyn Monroe) | History Traveler Episode 148: • Gettysburg's Most STUN...
- The Assassination of Lincoln & Ford's Theatre | History Traveler Episode 25: • The Assassination of L...
Support the effort to expand history education on PATREON: / historyunderground
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CHAPTERS:
00:00 Lincoln Relics
01:00 Relics from Ford's Theater
01:35 Lincoln's Bloodstained Rag
03:20 A Lincoln Hair Lock
05:55 John Wilkes Booth & The Devil

[@FourStatesNoise]

One of the best American War history channels on KZbin. Have enjoyed all of your content. Keep up the great work.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Oh wow. I really do appreciate that. Thank you.

[@jetsons101]

Thanks to JD and Erik for their time and work. Keeping history alive at this point in time is crucial so we don't lose our freedoms that many died for. Thanks again for keeping history alive.....

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Agreed. Hopefully people are sharing these videos and using them as a tool to help others learn. Thanks!

[@Ronaldl2350]

Still amazes me the collection Erik has been able to assemble. I would dare to say rivals the Smithsonian.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

It really is something else.

[@kathyburt9285]

I have thought that. Erikk has a great museum.😊

[@MiJacFan1]

That man deserves a museum the size of the Smithsonian!

[@martysheets6882]

My hope is the youth of America finds You, you are an amazing Historian, keep up the great work.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Wow, thank you. I'm just a monkey with a camera, but I do hang out with people who are legit historians. :)

[@ChuckG92]

I was there today! Thanks for again giving me a great tip on a place I needed to visit and thanks to Erik for allowing us to see his wonderful collections.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

If you've watched a few episodes and feel like I've earned it, be sure to subscribe so that you don't miss any new content when it comes out. Also be sure to check out The Gettysburg Museum of History and their store at www.gettysburgmuseumofhistory.com. Thanks!

[@allandavis8201]

Eric is probably the most interesting museum curator that I have ever listened to, he is passionate about history in general but you can tell he is even more passionate about ensuring that the exhibit’s in his museum are genuine and that he knows their provenance in as much detail as possible. Thanks for opening up your museum Eric and thanks JD for taking the time to share your combined knowledge and passion with us all, most appreciated. 😀👍🇬🇧🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇺🇸🇺🇦

[@andrea6421]

I think it’s wonderful how all of these artifacts have survived after all these years. Another great video 👍🏻😊

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Yeah, definitely glad that these things have all been preserved.

[@JustMe-mh2pn]

I'm from Germany and I think your channel is one of the most interesting ones. I am a huge fan of American history. Especially of the Civil War. I think I learned so much from you that books couldn't have taught me. A heartfelt thank you from Germany. Please keep up the good work! Xx Tina

[@phyllishershkowitz3806]

Very cool! Lincoln was one of my favorite presidents. Really enjoyed this.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks!

[@MGTOWPaladin]

Lincoln was my favorite president - as a child! Then, I grew up and found out he invaded the South fir control of southern cash crops and the Union has tried to hide that fact. Lincoln, to be able to invade the South, created his own "war powers" so he could violate the Constitution.

[@nathansmith9686]

Anytime the topic of Lincoln comes up I always learn something new. Such a fascinating person. Appreciate the channel!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Glad you enjoy it! Thank you for watching.

[@mikeparker3865]

Fascinating as always. I find the Civil War to be one of the most interesting periods of American history. I hope to see the museum in person some day.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

You'll love it!

[@joshua.snyder]

I once owned a lock of Lincoln's hair and a fragment of the flag flown on The Old Nashville train during the journey to Springfield. I am wary of his hair locks now. There are more of them out there attributed to Joseph Barnes than the amount of hair Lincoln likely grew in his life.

[@bobgrewe988]

Amazing. The artifacts Erik has in that museum is astounding. I will be putting that on my bucket list for sure.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Awesome place!

[@benitagrattan193]

OMG I love this museum...I can't wait to visit one day...❤️❤️❤️

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

It's awesome. You can't even imagine everything that's in there.

[@leefitzgerald8950]

When you think of Lincoln you think of his stove pipe hat and how tall he was. Another thing was his beard, it was very distinguishing from the period when he was clean shaven. As you take your walk viewing amazing points in our history JD I hope on going to Gettysburg in October. Thanks again for another awesome video!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

You'll love it there! One of my favorite places.

[@mikenixon2401]

I always enjoy and appreciate the little oddities we take for granted. I remember my grandmother having hairlocks of relatives placed in lockets.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Agreed. That stuff is interesting.

[@WalkwithHistory]

Ok. You convinced me!!!! The next time when I am in Gettysburg I am going to visit.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

👍🏻

[@lukehamm9233]

Wow! Its crazy that he has all of this history

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Pretty amazing place. And I haven't even shown a fraction of what's in there.

[@cyndiebill6631]

A friend of mine has a mourning pin. It’s a piece of her great great great Grandfather’s hair. They use to wear them in honor of their dead. It was a way they could remember the person and keep them close to their heart after they died. Great video as always. 👍😁

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Wow. Thank you.

[@justinweaver8787]

Amazing collection an content sir thank u.

[@donnaelkins186]

So amazing that these things of President Lincoln are saved and in museums. I have seen a lot of the relects of President Lincolns so awesome. Thanks for sharing.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Agreed. Very interesting stuff.

[@edwardaustin740]

I expect nothing less than the best from this channel. As usual you've hit a home run. Thank you for letting us tag along for all these journeys. It is greatly appreciated.

[@shotgun111180]

have you done a video on Jefferson Davis or Stonewall Jackson? Jackson is one of my fav historical figures and would love to see a video on him

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

I’ve been to Jefferson Davis’s grave. Haven’t done any Jackson content yet.

[@GhostofSicklesleg]

I will be making this stop #2 next time I am in Gettysburg,1st stop in checking into my B&B! Erik I cannot wait to see your museum and hopefully to speak with you. I thank the gods of Valhalla when I stumbled upon JD’s channel, and of course the ABT and Vlogging thru History and the podcasts as well. I hope that one day Dan Carlin does a civil war podcast!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Pretty amazing place. Thanks!

[@ricklipford8762]

Great video JD enjoyed it very much

[@jimwiskus8862]

Lincoln is just my favorite president. Thank you JD & Erik.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Glad that you enjoyed it!

[@johnlewis1640]

Thank you for the video, full of interesting artifacts.

[@biblebeltbeauties8874]

I love how he's holding an antenna off an old radio

[@GodsFavoriteBassPlyr]

Absolutely Fascinating.. Mr. Dorr is an amazing find and resource. Great stuff!

[@Nomorewarsforisrael]

I worked for many years at the Surratt House Museum (Mary Surratt was the first woman executed by the United States government for her role in the Lincoln assassination) in Clinton, Maryland and for some strange reason we had her original headstone (which had been broken into fragments) stored in a cardboard box in the attic of the visitors center. I used to bring it down all the time to show people. Good channel, subscribed.

[@lynnmorgan6144]

Nice video. One day I really want to get to that museum. When my mom passed 3 years ago, I inherited a box of old letters and papers from her great-grandfather, who as a 12-year old had been a scout in the Civil War (another interesting story for another day). Anyway, in that box I found several notes including locks of hair, some from his father, his mother, his wife who died fairly young, etc. The hair lock practice was very common, as you said. I’m not quite sure what to do with those old locks of hair...feels wrong to toss them, that’s for sure!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Wow! Very interesting. And no, definitely don't toss them.

[@conniewaldby5524]

There.are wall plaques with different hair fashioned into flowers etc with each areas listing who's hair and birth and death dates.

[@briandemski1634]

Always, blown away on your videos and content!! Thanks for sharing!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

🙏🏼

[@jefferyfowler7860]

Great video JD. It's amazing how these item's put you back in time.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks!

[@mikedandurand3548]

These fascinating videos just keep on coming! Thank you.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

So glad that you're enjoying them! Thank you.

[@carolreynolds3650]

Very precious items, wonderful history in the sad event of the death of a most extraordinary man! Thank you so much!!

[@jamesholt7612]

Very cool video JD.

[@philipmason3218]

Truly amazing that you can actually almost touch one of the most famous events in world history 👏

[@jaspergrey108]

Great video!

[@elizabethmckenna5397]

I so enjoy your channel. Just so so interesting.

[@robertcunningham6476]

Always amazing to see you JD and Eric together. Has Eric ever considered taking the Gettysburg Museum on the road? I think it would be a huge draw.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

That is an interesting idea. 🤔

[@SueProv]

Holy cow, that's amazing. I was wondering about how they knew it was real and he used the word provenance and how that works. I remember that from antique road show.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Pretty amazing collection.

[@buck1978]

Anytime u get together with the Gettysburg museum of history it’s always an excellent video

[@zacharydizerega9459]

JD great video as usual I will be going to the museum later this year I can't wait to see everything you've show on this channel in person keep it up Sir

[@jillwiegand4257]

Fascinating! Will plan to go at some point. Really interesting items! Anything history with A. Lincoln I love to see and hear about. Thank you for this video 👏

[@jeffsquires6620]

I have the ultimate respect for all people who share history. Thanks for another very interesting video.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks for watching!

[@recountonrealitypodcast9920]

Nice episode J.D , Eric has some amazing artefacts !

[@paulterry2065]

My wife and I are in the city for a coldplay concert and we went to a steakhouse named Keens. Turns out they have Abraham Lincolns’s playbill that was sitting under his chair when he was assassinated and it’s covered in his blood and an article explaining how it came into their possession. By far my favorite part of this trip.

[@corbinbacon9043]

That guy has relics coming out of his ears! Are you sure the amber room isnt in some dusty boxes in the backroom somewhere?! Lol 😂.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

It really is insane. I’ve never seen anything like it.

[@keithhuotari2571]

One of my favorite museums. Such neat things there that you would never find anywhere else.

[@anthonydm2947]

Another great video… amazing what’s in that museum.

[@jondoe399]

Great video JD. Hope to see the Gettysburg Museum whenever we decide to head out East. Thank you.

[@donaldhoot7741]

I had Lincoln logs as a child. They were designed by Frank LLoyd Wright! Great video!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Wow!

[@donaldhoot7741]

@@TheHistoryUnderground I KNOW! Right!? LOL

[@gregoryboyd7176]

I've been a collector of Lincoln artifacts for several years and my own holdings include a sample of his handwriting, a piece of the crepe mourning sash worn by an honor guard when Lincoln's body lay in state in NYC [where the famous coffin photograph was taken], a cast of the Clark Mills lifemask taken just 8 weeks before his assassination, a piece of wallpaper from the Peterson house back bedroom where Lincoln died [documented by the US Department of the Interior] and a swatch cut from one of wife Mary Todd Lincoln's several mourning gowns, which she wore for the rest of her own life. And then there are my hair samples; I have strands of not only Lincoln's hair, but also of Mary Todd and even of convicted conspirator Mary Surratt, [snipped from her head by a guard shortly after her hanging] and all carry far more definitive provenance than the Gettysburg hair sample, so I must dispute the authenticity of the museum relic. Firstly, Lincoln's hair was curly [he even once described it like "coiled wire"]; it was not straight and he simply did not wear it that long, and in fact had gotten a haircut just a few days before he was killed. Secondly, after his death there was a brisk business in Lincoln "relics" sold by everyone from barbers, White House aides to yes, even undertakers; so that provenance is only as good as the paper it is written upon. My own Lincoln hair stand is taken from a lock that was given by Mary Todd to a Lincoln cousin and thus passed directly down through the family itself so you see there is provenance and then there is provenance! Having said all of that, how do any of you feel about the newly-authenticated [and grim] photograph of Lincoln on his deathbed? At first I was skeptical but after hearing the exhausting forensic documentation that was involved in the examination processes it certainly appears to be genuine! And finally, I absolutely concur with other posters herein: this IS an excellent channel that presents material not only with accuracy but also dignity and reverence! KUDOS!!

[@stevedobson7837]

Love your work.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thank you!

[@MiJacFan1]

History, whether be good, bad, strange, or otherwise, is still history, and should be respected as such and learned from. Many people do not hold these values because they haven't been taught, but they need to be.

[@MobstersInc]

Great video 🍿

[@nathanbohn1078]

neat stuff!

[@cii1072]

Interesting historical items. Great for the museum to have these in one location.

[@donnakearse2503]

Enjoy so much your content on Civil War error.

[@beardandfriends8227]

Great video I was just there myself shooting a small segment not nearly as detailed as yours you did a very good job you actually inspire me I enjoy your work

[@Dave-cv8yb]

Excellent video, as usual. If you go to the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, MI, you will see the chair that Lincoln was sitting in when he was shot. The chair is still blood stained. Also, they have the limo that Kennedy was shot in and the limo Reagan was pushed into when he was shot. Keep up the great work, we love your content.

[@denisejames6015]

This is so surreal to see the real items from history.

[@monitor1862]

The Henry Ford Museum in Michigan has (or at least had) the rocking chair Lincoln was sitting in when was shot. On a different subject. They've got the letter that Bonnie and Clyde sent to Henry Ford praising his V-8 engine for fast getaways and stoppered test tube that is supposed to hold one of Thomas Edisons last breaths. Ford knew Edison was dying and asked him to breath in a test tube. The kind of stuff a history geek like me loves.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Yes. I need to get up there at some point.

[@hiramnoone]

Dark, but not off putting or ghoulish. The Lincoln Assassination is one of those watershed events, and everything about it is relevant to our country's past and present. Seeing those relics is a somber joy for buffs like myself, and thanks for the tour. For me? Most enjoyable and interesting.

[@stephenthomas6475]

Love the content of all your work very informative and entertaining Really like American history, definitely want to visit Gettysburg one day. Best of luck with your future content, from England 😊

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks!

[@SarahYoule]

Another brilliant video! Learned so much from your channel, thank you. Taking hair locks is still a common practice here in the UK, though we don't tend to make the elaborate hair art from them like in the Victorian era (though there are still hairwork artists out there).

[@terryeustice5399]

Very interesting artifacts from Lincoln’s death. Was not aware of that museum in Gettysburg. Not sure how they ended up there instead of the DC area. But thank you for sharing this information!

[@benjaminrush4443]

Amazing the "Stuff" at the Museum. Just love the Blood Relic & Hair Sample. I wonder, was there concern that people would try to steal the dead body, even buried, of Lincoln for a while after the assassination? Good Stuff. Thanks.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Yes, there was. Going to do a video about that some day.

[@samantharedden3906]

My favorite President 😍😍 JD thank you for this!!!

[@ashleyostrout4592]

My husband passed away a year and a half ago and I had them take some clippings from his hair and beard. Interesting how certain things continue throughout hundreds of years!

[@motaman8074]

More! More! Please

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

👍🏻

[@cutecple23]

You should come to Lincolns Home in Springfield, IL its beautiful plus you have his tomb and his presidential museum. There's also Lincolns New Salem where he lived before Springfield

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

On the list 🙂

[@janetchapman9668]

Great video, I love anything that is related to Abe Lincoln Thank you

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@triciadomayer6760]

Keeping locks of hair isn't odd at all. I've got locks from my mom (2007), dad (2008) and brother (2021). I even have bits of fur from my pets.

[@derek89273]

Place is packed with rare artifacts.

[@sebastiandc1392]

Sic semper tyrannis. Great video!

[@mrDCunningham]

Very cool 👍🏻😎

[@daleparker4207]

Very cool

[@keithsifford5326]

This has to be one of the best museums on the planet. I’ve got to go there! I believe Jackie took a lock of hair from JFK also back in the day

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

It really is a sight to see. And there's a ton of JFK stuff there too.

[@katieh1752]

She did!

[@JonJaeden]

Ordered a musket ball from GMH from the Antietam corn field for a friend at church who'se great-great-grandfather fought there. Told him it was his good-luck piece because it missed his ancestor and that's why he's here today.

[@Brunette_Rapunzel]

I still do the hair lock thing. I love Victorian mourning customs. I took a piece of my grandmother's hair and had a ring made out of it.

[@chrismaurer2075]

Thank You so much for going to these places and bringing them to people like me that will never be able to go there . If I win the Lotto I'm going to give you a lot of money to travel to places like you've shown plus more.GOD Bless you brother.

[@frankmarullo228]

Another AWESOME video JD. Thank you Frank from montana.. I am a little confused about the # 27 . Is this just one of your older videos ? Either way it is as good as anything you have done.. You are like a history treasure again Thank you......

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

This is Episode 27 from the American Artifact series, which is separate from the History Traveler series. Thanks!

[@frankmarullo228]

@@TheHistoryUnderground thank you JD. Every episode you do is awesome. Frank

[@wolfrv695]

Excellent 👍🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@vassa1972]

Interesting video

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

👍🏻

[@kathyrichardson8735]

JD, in my last comment I forgot to mention that in addition to the Evansville Wartime Museum we also have an LST anchored at our riverfront. And the Indiana Military Museum is just up the road. As a retired French and history teacher I wish I had had your videos when I was still in the classroom.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks!

[@sierramike5819]

I know someone has already said this probably but that guy was on pawnstars. Interesting.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Yep!

[@maryellenbruneau5095]

You should come to Vermont and visit Hildene!! There is a lot of Lincoln history there as well

[@SkisandBeer970]

Pretty incredible that Erik has pieces of cloth with both Lincoln and Hitler's blood, I need to make it out to PA to see his collection

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

It really is something else.

[@Deathtroopers09]

@thehistoryundergound Looking forward to meeting you at Tank Talk on the 24th.

[@justinweaver8787]

Have a good weekend.

[@shelleyharris165]

Thank you for sharing this 🌍😎✌️😇☮️✝️🕊️🙌💪🤲🤘🕊️

[@nathanielanderson4898]

Education is not dark. It brings us into power of knowledge and understanding. Our times are very different now. Things were very dark in those days, because Education and information was not so widespread.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

This history can be dark, but the education is alway good. Thanks!

[@stever4181]

The chair Lincoln was assassinated in is in the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn Michigan.

[@littlebitseaton2925]

I wish you two could convince today's youth of the greatness of our history both good and bad. Everything today seems to teach that our country is so bad. Thank you for what you do.

[@kmorris180]

I remember when I first heard about Lincoln being assassinated. It was after the war.

[@MrSuperman2307]

I got to see one of the three paintings of Lincoln standing

[@markpalmer6760]

Fascinating video as always. Poor man probably had no hair by the time he was entombed

[@darkoflight4938]

Hairlocks are a quite a common way to remember, specially celebreties. Elvis or Marilyn Monroe locks appear now and then. Great video!