THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, September 8, 1995 TAG: 9509060159
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 12 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Cover Story
SOURCE: BY ERIC FEBER, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Long : 173 lines
JAMES A. GETTY works with two Gettysburg addresses.
One is his combination residence and business in the town forever immortalized in history by the most pivotal battle in America's Civil War. The other is the famed and stirring speech by Abraham Lincoln that's a major part of his livelihood.
Getty makes his living portraying the 16th president of the United States. During the summer tourist season, the Bloomington, Ill., native presents historical programs at a 100-seat theater at his residence, known as A. Lincoln's Place, located on Baltimore Street in Gettysburg.
Getty will bring his Lincoln persona to the Chesapeake Central Library this weekend for the third annual Civil War Days festival, playing Mr. Lincoln right in the heart of Confederate Chesapeake.
And when Getty plays Lincoln, you have to keep reminding yourself that it's only an actor and not Honest Abe come back to life.
Even experts and critics agree on Getty's depth of research, Lincoln/Civil War knowledge and skilled presentation:
``Audiences love it! Abe would have been pleased,'' wrote the Chicago Tribune of Getty's Lincoln programs.
Warren W. Hassler Jr., a professor of American history at Pennsylvania State University, wrote: ``I have seen a number of individuals attempt to do the impersonation of Lincoln, but, believe me, yours is easily the most superb all around. And it is, of course, much more than an accurate, finely-tuned interpretation; it is a most impressive tour de force that is the best going.''
``In movies and plays, many actors have played the part,'' wrote the Sarasota, Fla., Herald-Tribune. ``Yet Getty is more believable than most, if not all, of the others. He doesn't just know his lines. He doesn't just imitate Lincoln's mannerisms and oratorical style. He knows the man thoroughly.''
Getty said he never thought about doing Lincoln until 1970, when, as a high school choral teacher in Sandusky, Ohio, he grew a beard.
``People began to comment on my Lincoln profile,'' he said from his Gettysburg home base. ``I did some research and began to do a few mini-programs here and there.''
Previously, Getty was a music teacher who taught in Fairfax, Sandusky and the Chicago suburbs of St. Charles and Napperville, but as his research grew, so did his interest in all things Lincoln. And as his research became more extensive, his Lincoln became more entrenched in his own psyche.
Then, in 1978, he made the big leap from choral teacher to portraying one of the most influential and important presidents in United States history when he moved his family to Gettysburg, Pa.
``I moved there for the obvious reason,'' he said. ``It seemed to be the best and most fitting place to do that type of thing.''
As a full-time Lincoln impersonator, Getty's Lincoln and Civil War library and research grew and grew. He spoke with history professors, authors, museum curators and any expert he could contact.
``I then began reading primary sources about his mannerisms, habits and speech patterns,'' Getty said. ``I began to visit the places he visited so I could get a feel for each site and incorporate those memories and feelings into my programs. In essence, I was busy amassing Lincoln's collective memory.
``I found Lincoln to be a man who stuck to his guns, never backed down. He never would give up on the preservation of the Union; in his mind it was the only way to preserve this country and its ideals. I also found him to be a very humorous man who loved to tell stories. He was a blend of sterness and compassion. He was a very common man but a very shrewd politician and an intellectual man.''
Based on first-hand accounts, Getty said he perfected Lincoln's walk, the way he sits down and his voice spiced with a very slight Kentucky accent spoken in a higher pitch than his own voice.
For a few years, Getty and his wife and children endured some lean times as his business of portraying Lincoln slowly caught on and became a popular Gettysburg tourist attraction.
``It came slow at first,'' Getty explained. ``We had to do some scraping and eat a lot of broth, but soon we turned the corner.''
Now Getty's Lincoln plays to full houses Monday through Friday at his A. Lincoln's Place Theater during the May through September tourist season.
During his theater program, Getty as Lincoln tells the audience about his family's chronology, his law practice, his marriage and children, family, his politics and about the war. He spins those Lincoln yarns, tells those Abe jokes. He said the high point of the program comes when he recites the famed Gettysburg Address, something he will do for Chesapeake's Civil War Days.
``When audiences question me as Lincoln, I get a lot of family questions,'' Getty said. ``There seems a lot of concern for his family life and his marriage and concern about his stand on slavery and the Emancipation Proclamation.''
On weekends and the off-season, he takes his Lincoln persona on the road, performing at schools, museums, re-enactments, history programs, trade shows, conventions and many other functions.
He has recently developed a new motivational program he presents to various business, educational and civic groups called ``What Would Lincoln Be Thinkin'?''
``I do this at conferences and conventions,'' Getty said. ``It's a motivational type of thing where, as Lincoln, I talk about the necessity of re-directing our youth, about the importance of education and about saving this country.'' COVER STORY: A CONVERSATION WITH ABRAHAM LINCOLN BY ERIC FEBER, STAFF WRITER
Talking to James A. Getty is like having a conversation with President Abraham Lincoln. Here is a portion of an interview with Getty as he assumed the personna of the 16th president in preparation for his appearance at Chesapeake's annual Civil War Days.
Q. Mr. President, why go to war to preserve what was at that time a half completed experiment in democracy?
A. When we first formed this union, we essentially told the European governments we don't have to have a king. If we didn't preserve this union, it would be a failed example in democracy. Divided we would be weak and ripe for outside interference from other governments. I believe this union was well worth preserving, preserving at all costs.
Q. What about your Virginia connections?
A. My great-grandfather, John Lincoln, moved to Harrisonburg. My father (Tom Lincoln) was born there and my dear mother (Nancy Hanks) was born in the western part of your state (which later became West Virginia because of the war, but many still regarded it as part of Virginia). I also admired Virginia as a moderate state, and they were one of the last to join the Confederacy.
Q. You were never a military man, never went to military school, yet you kept a hands-on policy in conducting the war. Why?
A. Well, I felt in the East that the generals really needed some prodding. We needed results, battlefield results. I kept my strategy map in my office, I studied over military manuals and studied tactics. I was very disappointed in Gen. McClellan, he was too cautious and let too many opportunities slip by. War is a matter of opportunities and you have to take advantage of them. When Gen. Grant took over, I left the war up to him. His record in the west spoke for itself. He was a man who understood action and opportunities. I also respected Gen. Sherman and understood his idea of total war, but his Atlanta campaign did get out of hand.
Q. How do you feel toward Robert E. Lee?
A. I felt he was forced to make a decision of conscience, and I respect him for that. I hold him in high esteem. I think he's an honorable man and a devoted Christian. After all, the rebel forces are our brothers in error.
Q. What about your devotion to humor and telling stories?
A. These times are so bad that one would go mad if one didn't have some humor. I like to use my stories to make a point, to inject humor and, often times, a little wisdom.
Q. Tell us about your visit to Richmond after it fell.
A. It was a relief to know the war was finally coming to an end. But I was greatly disturbed by the destruction and devastation I saw in this beautiful and gracious city. I was able to visit the Confederate White House and it was heartening to be greeted by the city's black population.
Q. What about your feelings on slavery?
A. When I was in New Orleans in the 1820s, I saw a slave auction, and then and there I swore if I can ever get out of this (slavery), I will. I was astounded by what I saw at the auction. It's one thing for a man to own a horse but another thing for him to own a person. I saw the immorality and the poor economics of slavery.
Q. Since you never attended college or an institution of higher learning, how did you manage to deal with your peers who did?
A. I always felt I had to play catch-up. But that feeling always kept me reading and always kept me learning.
Q. What about your marriage to Mary Todd Lincoln? Were there troubles?
A. We had our good times and our bad times, just like in most marriages. We both loved the theater, children, and she was very intellectual, adept at politics. Many people in the District of Columbia thought she was a country bumpkin, but she spoke French, read constantly and kept up with the latest fashions. She was short-tempered and our union was not without its conflicts.
Q. One last question, Mr. President, why did you grow a beard?
A. I got a letter from a Grace Bedell from New York. She suggested I grow the beard. She said it would improve my appearance for the 1860 election. I think she was right. MEMO: [For a related story, also see page 12 of The Clipper for this date.]
ILLUSTRATION: James A. Getty portrays the 16th president of the United
States.
SCHEDULE OF APPEARANCES
[For a copy of the schedule, see microfilm for this date.]
by CNB