The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum is welcoming back two captivating one-act plays, "Lilacs & Letters" and "Small Beginnings," to the Union Theater through November. These productions, featuring actors Zaxx Nation and Reggie Guyton, bring to life pivotal Civil War stories, offering audiences a personal glimpse into the era's struggles and resilience.

"Lilacs & Letters," written and performed by Nation, portrays Poet Walt Whitman as he reflects on the grief following President Lincoln’s assassination while caring for wounded soldiers in Washington, D.C. Guyton’s "Small Beginnings" recounts the heroic escape of Robert Smalls, an enslaved man who seized a Confederate ship to bring his family to freedom in 1862 and later served in Congress. Guyton's performance is enhanced by music from Randy Erwin, who also composed music for both plays.

The plays run several times each week, with performances included in the price of museum admission. After each show, audiences can engage in a Q&A session with the actors. Christina Shutt, the museum's executive director, praised the productions for offering a fresh perspective on Civil War history.

For more information on showtimes, visit the museum’s website.