The life and legacy of Abraham Lincoln is well-known to most Americans. The fortitude with which Lincoln fought the Civil War, the significance of the Emancipation Proclamation, and the gentleness of his ideas of reunification place him alongside our greatest presidents. Possibly the best-known aspect of Abraham Lincoln’s image is that of his top hat, in which it is said he often carried legal papers and letters. Assembling a stovepipe hat in honor of our sixteenth president is an easy task and one that you can share with your friends and siblings.
What You Need:
- 7-inch paper plate
- Black paint or marker
- 2 sheets of black, 9x12-inch construction paper
- Paintbrush (optional)
- Glue
- Tape
- Scissors
What You Do:
- Paint or color the paper black. Allow it to dry.
- Cut out the center of the plate, leaving an outside rim about two inches thick for the brim of the hat.
- Place two sheets of construction paper side by side vertically so that the longest sides of the paper are touching. Tape or glue them together.
- Cut ½-inch slits along the bottom of the construction paper, about one inch apart.
- Roll up the construction paper so that the two remaining sides touch, and glue or tape them together so that you have a long cylindrical tube.
- Fold the slits out at a 90-degree angle.
- Place the tube, slit-side down, on top of the plate and glue it down. You may find it helpful to weigh the tube down with several sheets of paper in order to allow the glue enough time to dry.
This activity adapted from The Civil War Kids 150: Fifty Fun Things to Do, See, Make and Find for the 150th Anniversary. Find out more about The Civil War Trust and their education programs at http://www.civilwar.org/education/.
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