A perennial favorite, Holzer's carefully crafted narrations tell stories, reimagine conversations, quote poetry and bring history alive.

Daniel Chester French never met Abraham Lincoln—the sculptor was only 15 when the president was killed—but in this Chesterwood “reunion” program, the two men speak across time to explore the themes of democracy, freedom, sacrifice, and French’s gift for capturing all these attributes in art. Hear Lincoln’s greatest words together with French’s rarely and reluctantly expressed thoughts (he preferred to let his sculpture speak for him). And hear some of the words spoken at the dedication of French’s masterwork, the Lincoln Memorial, in 1922. Presented by author and Lincoln scholar Harold Holzer in collaboration with actor Rufus Collins.

This program celebrates the paperback release of Harold Holzer’s acclaimed biography Monument Man: The Life and Art of Daniel Chester French (Rowman & Littlefield). Pick up a copy at the Museum Shop at Chesterwood or purchase at the event.

General Admission $25, Chesterwood Members $20, Under 18 free

Harold Holzer is the author of the award-winning Monument Man: The Life and Art of Daniel Chester French (2019), and 54 other books on Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War. Now Director of The Roosevelt House Public Policy Institute at Hunter College, he served for 23 years as an executive at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. For ten years (2000-2010) Holzer was also Co-Chairman of the U. S. Lincoln Bicentennial Commission, appointed by President Clinton. In 2008, Holzer was awarded the National Humanities Medal by President George W. Bush. His most recent book is The Presidents vs. the Press: From the Founding Fathers to Fake News. In 2021, Holzer was principal consultant and on-air commentator for the six-part CNN documentary series, Lincoln: Divided We Stand. He also appears in the History Channel documentary, Lincoln. Holzer lectures throughout the nation. One of his Lincoln programs with Sam Waterston was telecast from the White House and performed at the George H. W. Bush Presidential Library, the Bill Clinton Presidential Library, the Library of Congress, and Ford’s Theatre. Holzer has also created and performed on-stage Lincoln programs with F. Murray Abraham, Alec Baldwin, Annette Benning, Rufus Collins, Richard Dreyfuss, Holly Hunter, Stephen Lang, Norm Lewis, Liam Neeson, and Dianne Wiest. In partnership with Chesterwood, Holzer has created and narrated Lincoln-and Shakespeare productions at the Daniel Chester French Studio, the Berkshire Playhouse, and the Mount, featuring such performers as Jayne Atkinson, Kathleen Chalfant, Michael Gill, Chris Noth, John Douglas Thompson, and the late Fritz Weaver.

Rufus Collins appeared on Broadway in The Royal Family, To Be or Not To Be, A Day in the Death of Joe Egg, An Ideal Husband and The Homecoming.  His work for the Irish Repertory Theatre includes Meet Me in St. Louis (produced remotely during 2020), The Dead 1904, The Quare Land and Aristocrats. Off-Broadway appearances include Road to Damascus, The Seagull, Orson’s Shadow and House and Garden.  He has performed throughout the country in plays as diverse as Lifespan of a Fact (Hartford TheaterWorks), Sherlock’s Last Case (Huntington, Boston), Othello (Shakespeare Theater of Washington DC) Venus in Fur (Goodman Theater, Chicago), Seminar (Philadelphia Theatre Co.) Michael Von Seibenburg Melts Through the Floorboards (Humana Festival, Louisville), The Old Masters (Long Wharf, New Haven), The Autumn Garden and Dissonance (Williamstown Festival), The Real Thing (Huntington), In This Corner (Old Globe, San Diego), Dinner with Friends, Hedda Gabler, Indian Ink, The Ruling Class, Hamlet, Macbeth, Twelfth Night.  Films include After the Wedding, The Geezer, Wanted, Joshua, Milia.  He has been seen on Television in “The Black List” “The Deuce” “Blue Bloods” “Madam Secretary” “Elementary” “Mysteries of Laura” “Forever” “Mozart in the Jungle”  “Law & Order” (All versions).  Rufus graduated from Columbia College with a B.A. in English Literature and studied acting at the Central School of Speech and Drama in London.

Left: Harold Holzer (photo Matthew Capowski) Right: Rufus Collins (courtesy the actor)