When I heard about the new National Treasures exhibit coming to Epcot and some of the amazing treasures that would be on display, I was literally counting down the days until I could see some of American history’s most amazing artifacts - like Rosa Park’s arrest record and fingerprints - in person. The artifact I was looking forward to most was Abraham Lincoln’s stovepipe hat, which has never been displayed publicly outside Lincoln’s home.

And yes, I was there on opening day. The grand opening ceremony featured a performance by Epcot’s Voices of Liberty acapella singing group and speeches from U.S. Astronaut John Herrington and Epcot Vice President Jim McPhee. The event went off without a hitch, except for a noisy four-year-old boy who threw a tantrum in the middle of it. Thankfully he was quietly escorted into the lobby by an oh-so-patient Disney employee who played “Nanny 911” and cheerfully invited the boy and his parents to come out and play a game.

The exhibit is located inside the American Adventure pavilion to the far right. It may seem small at first, but the exhibit actually features more than 40 artifacts, including personal items from George Washington Carver, Jackie Robinson, Japanese-American World War II hero Sen. Daniel Inouye, Thomas Edison and others.

As I strolled through the exhibit, I marveled at the fact that Disney was able to get so many items from key figures in American history. One thing I failed to read in the press release (and therefore didn’t expect) was seeing a group of Mark Twain’s personal writing instruments, which, as a writer myself, was a special thrill.

And then there was the hat…tucked back in the left-hand corner of the exhibit was Abraham Lincoln’s stovepipe hat. A hat that was a staple dress item of one of our nation’s most influential presidents – an item that stood witness to both the Civil War and the end of slavery in the United States. Tall, dark and a bit thinner and simpler than I expected, I stared at it through the glass.

It was amazing.

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