Travel Briefs

WASHINGTON

Exhibits, events mark Lincoln's birthday

Some of the biggest celebrations of the bicentennial of Abe Lincoln's birthday kick off in Washington on his Feb. 12 birthdate. But you also can catch many Lincoln-related exhibits and events later this year and in other parts of the country.

Here are some details, with more information at www.lincolnindc.com/ or from the Lincoln Bicentennial Commission, www. abrahamlincoln200.org/.

The National Park Service celebrates Lincoln's birthday Thursday with live music at the Lincoln Memorial. On April 12, Easter Sunday, the memorial will host a re-creation of Marian Anderson's landmark concert. She sang at the memorial steps in 1939 after a nearby concert hall turned her away because she was black. And on Memorial Day, the Lincoln Memorial will be formally rededicated.

Ford's Theatre -- where Lincoln was assassinated in 1865 -- reopens Wednesday after an extensive renovation, and regular tours resume Feb. 17. The theater also is debuting a new play about Lincoln that will run through March 8.

Also in Washington, the original Emancipation Proclamation will be on display at the National Archives, Thursday- Feb. 16, and the Library of Congress opens a major national Lincoln bicentennial exhibit called "With Malice Toward None," on Thursday. The exhibit, at 10 First St. SE, will include items such as the Bible he used to take the oath of office (used by Barack Obama) and handwritten speeches and letters.

"With Malice Toward None" will travel to The California Museum in Sacramento this spring and summer; to the Newberry Library in Chicago this fall; to the Indiana State Museum in Indianapolis in early 2010; to the Atlanta History Center in the fall of 2010; and to the Durham Western Heritage Museum in Omaha, Neb., in 2011.

Another destination for visitors to Washington interested in the bicentennial is President Lincoln's Cottage at the Soldiers' Home, a National Trust Historic site that opened a year ago after a $17 million restoration. Lincoln lived there when he drafted the Emancipation Proclamation and often spent time there with his family, commuting three miles daily to the White House by horseback or coach. A lifesize statue of Lincoln and his horse, recently installed in front of the cottage, will be formally dedicated Thursday. On the same day, the exhibition "My Abraham Lincoln" opens at the cottage, showcasing Lincoln-related memorabilia, such as a 1920s set of Lincoln Logs.

Elsewhere, many states have established Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commissions to celebrate Lincoln's 200th birthday.

In Springfield, Ill., where Lincoln served in the state Legislature, many events are planned for Thursday, including an all-day program featuring Lincoln authors at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, Old State Capitol and Lincoln Home; a 9:30 a.m. reading of the Gettysburg Address to air on a live Web cast; and an evening ball at the museum. Chicago's celebrations include "Lincoln Treasures," a special exhibition at the Chicago History Museum, www.chicagohistory.org.

Kentucky has a Lincoln Heritage Trail to help you explore Lincoln sites in the state where he was born; details at www.kylincolntrail.com. The Behringer-Crawford Museum in Covington, Ky., will open an exhibit Thursday looking at four historically significant visits Lincoln made to Cincinnati between 1849 and 1861. And Indiana, where the future president grew up, has a guide to Lincoln sites and events at www.in.gov/lincoln/.

CANTON, Ohio

Kimono exhibit in Canton begins today

An exhibit of kimonos considered to be artistic masterworks opens today at the Canton Museum of Art in Canton, Ohio.

The exhibit, "Kimono as Art: The Landscapes of Itchiku Kubota," includes 40 oversized kimonos featuring patterns inspired by nature.

The show, which also includes a video presentation of the artist's life and work, runs until April 26.

Kubota spent a year creating each kimono. He had hoped to make 75 to form a tapestry of the garments, but he died in 2003 after completing 30 pieces. His family carries on his work.

Details at www.kimonoexhibit.com/exhibit.htm. A video about the event can be accessed at www.kimonoexhibit.com/video.htm.

Canton will also host KIMONOFest during the exhibit's run, including Japanese tea ceremonies, calligraphy and martial arts demonstrations, a March 22 sumo wrestling demonstration and a children's kite-flying festival.

Admission to the exhibit is $10 for adults, $7 for seniors and children 5-12.

Some of the kimonos were on display at the Smithsonian in 1995. This exhibit opened in San Diego, where the Timken family has ties to museums, and will return to Japan when it closes in Ohio.

Canton, 60 miles from Cleveland and near Ohio's Amish country, is also home to the Professional Football Hall of Fame and the National First Ladies Historical Site.

CONCORD, N.H.

Maple sugaring season about to begin

New Hampshire is gearing up for the February-March maple-sugaring season.

It takes about 40 gallons of sap to make a gallon of syrup, and New Hampshire produces nearly 90,000 gallons of maple syrup each year.

Many sugar houses offer sugaring demonstrations, tastings, sleigh rides or hayrides, petting farms, and opportunities for kids to gather sap and sample just-cooked syrup on snow.

Places offering sugaring activities include Tamarack farm in Canterbury, Ragged View Farm in Andover, The Rocks Estate in Bethlehem, Mt. Cube Sugar House in Oxford, Parkers Maple Barn in Mason and the new Remick Museum Sugar House in Tamworth. More than 50 sugar houses are taking part in New Hampshire Maple Weekend, March 28-29, with tours, tastings and pancake breakfasts.

A March Maple Madness Package in Mount Washington Valley includes two nights of lodging, maple goodies and maple-themed breakfasts, tour tickets, recipe booklet and a "sapenger" hunt with clues, searches and prizes.

Details at www.nhmapleproducers.com and www.visitnh.gov/best-time-to-visit/maple-sugaring.aspx. There's even a maple hot line, (603) 225-3757.

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif.

Hilton unveils Home2 Suites brand

Hilton Hotels has announced the launch of a new extended-stay lodging brand called Home2 Suites by Hilton.

Construction is expected to begin on the first Home2 Suites hotel in the next six to 12 months.

The company said it has received applications for franchises for the brand in New York City, Baltimore/White Marsh, Md., Charlotte, N.C., Jacksonville, N.C., Gadsden, Ala., Alabaster, Ala., Elko and three hotels in San Antonio.

Home2 Suites' design includes sustainable elements such as recycled flooring and plumbing that conserves water; complimentary breakfast; a walking and exercise course and fitness facility; indoor pool; outdoor communal space with grills and areas to socialize. The room design will include a "working wall" with modular pieces that include workspace, closet and storage.

Each property will have an average of 108 guest rooms, 80 percent studios and 20 percent one-bedrooms.

Extended-stay properties accommodate everyone from corporate employees on assignment away from home to families of hospital patients. But with amenities such as individual kitchens were guests can prepare their own meals, extended-stay hotels also appeal to some leisure travelers. Home2 Suites will be a mid-tier brand, meaning its prices are expected to fall in the middle 33 percent range for hotels in any given area.

Hilton expects Home2 Suites to include 100 properties by the end of 2012.