Elected United States President in 1860, Abraham Lincoln stopped in Peekskill on February 19, 1861 on his way to Washington to assume the presidency. Lincoln, traveling from his home in Springfield, Illinois, stopped at several cities along the way. This was his only public appearance in Westchester County and he delivered a brief address to about 1,000 citizens of Peekskill focusing on the difficulties that were before him. Four years later on April 25, 1865 his funeral train stopped at the Peekskill railroad station. At the time, Peekskill was known for its support of Lincoln and today is home to the oldest Lincoln Society in the nation.

At 10 a.m. the society and interested visitors will gather at the Lincoln Excedra on South Street for a flag-raising ceremony by Boy Scout Troop 1. The Excedra was constructed in 1925, overlooking the Hudson River and the railroad station from which Lincoln spoke. It contains a bronze portrait tablet of Lincoln that was created by the Tiffany Studios in New York City.

Instead of re-enacting Lincoln's speech at that site, as usual, Mayor John Testa will lead everyone to The Lincoln Depot for the rest of the ceremony.

Several years ago Governor George E. Pataki, a former Mayor of Peekskill, announced $750,000 for the City of Peekskill to restore and preserve the existing historic depot building to house the proposed Lincoln Depot Museum, which will allow visitors to learn about President-elect Lincoln's visit to Peekskill and the city's role in the Civil and Revolutionary Wars.

The museum will be a stop on the Lincoln Heritage Trail, which is part of the New York State Heritage Trail program developed by Governor Pataki to bring to life the rich history of New York State.

During the evening of February 7, The Lincoln Society will hold its annual black-tie Dinner Dance at Colonial Terrace. It will differ from the society's first dinner, at the Eagle Hotel, which was attended by 150 men. There will be a 20-piece jazz band for the evening's entertainment. The guest speaker will be Marc M. Aarons, Esq. of Croton-on-Hudson and there will be a display of artwork by Paul R. Martin III. The cost is $90 per person which includes an open bar all evening.

The Lincoln Society was organized for charitable and educational purposes and provides: * Educational events where scholars may honor and perpetuate the ideals and accomplishments of Abraham Lincoln.

* A non-political forum for the exchange of Lincoln's writings, speeches, historical documents and memorabilia.

* Funds for the purchase of, or preservation of, books and documents in the Peekskill Field Library's Lincoln Collection and Peekskill Museum's Lincoln Acquisitions.

* Stimulation of local school student studies of the Lincoln period and its impact on the world.

* Maintenance of the Lincoln Excedra.

The Lincoln Collection in the Field Library is an outstanding group of books and materials about Abraham Lincoln's presidency, his politics, and his personal life. It includes approximately 600 current as well as rare, older volumes.