Take a bite out of history with Abe's favorite cake

At 1 p.m. Feb. 13, the Lehigh Valley Heritage Museum, 432 W. Walnut St., Allentown, will celebrate the 16th president's birthday.

Take a bite out of history when you taste a slice of Abraham Lincoln's favorite white-almond cake made from Mary Lincoln's original recipe. A PowerPoint lecture will explore Lincoln's evolving image in American popular culture.

Museum officials will serve visitors a slice of cake made from one of Lincoln's favorite cake recipes. A lecture and slideshow on "Abraham Lincoln in American History" will reveal Lincoln's role as the central figure in American history and how he has become so well known.

The museum will display an authentic Civil War-era top hat of the type worn by Lincoln. The top hat came into fashion around 1800, after the Revolutionary War-era tricorn hat went out of style. High-quality top hats such as this one were made of felted beaver fur. During the years leading up to the Civil War, top hats grew ever taller, eventually earning the name "stovepipe hats."

The hat, handmade by Christ & Souers of 17 W. Hamilton St. in Allentown, will be on exhibit for one day only.

Lincoln is the most studied secular figure in American history. This lecture explores some of the ways in which the Lincoln story has evolved. Surveying his popularity as president, the lecture will examine the drama of his death and state funeral. It will investigate his rise to mythic hero and the forces that have sustained his legacy.

Admission is free to members, $8 for adult nonmembers, and $3 for nonmember children.

For more information, visit lehighvalleyheritagemuseum.org.