Centenary of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Visit to Lincoln, Nebraska

A Celebration of the Centenary of ‘Abdul-Bahá’s Visit to Philadelphia was held on September 23, 2012, under the sponsorship of the Local Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Lincoln.

Self-guided activities included tours of the William Jennings Bryan Home, the Nebraska History Museum, the Lincoln Station Historic Train Depot, and the Lincoln Holiday Inn.

Mr. Bryan and his wife visited ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in the Holy Land, and He was returning the courtesy. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá had tea with Mrs. Bryan and their daughter in the Bryan home. Mr. Bryan was a Nebraska lawyer and politician who won the Democratic Presidential nomination and served as Secretary of State under President Wilson. Mr. Bryan gave his home and surrounding land for the purpose of establishing a new hospital and school of nursing.

At the Nebraska History Museum, the prayer revealed by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in his own handwriting while visiting Lincoln was on display. Lincoln Station Historic Train Depot was the station at which’Abdu’l-Bahá arrived and departed. The Lincoln Holiday Inn (Downtown/Haymarket) is the site of the original Lincoln Hotel where ‘Abdu’lBahá spent the night.