Story of Whit McMahan

Presenting: “Mister Lincoln”

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His story, thus far …

Since his childhood, Whit McMahan has been an admirer of our sixteenth President, known as the “Great Emancipator”.

Born in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, McMahan made trips to Lincoln’s birthplace in Hodgenville, Kentucky (interesting similarity) on numerous occasions over the years.

… But the story doesn’t end here.

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In 1991, McMahan grew a beard after attending college and was quick to be teased about his resemblance to the former President. Having no knowledge of presenting, he dismissed the notion, got rid of the beard, and his uncanny resemblance to Abraham Lincoln was forgotten until April of 2003.

At the suggestion of Dave Wallace, a co-worker, Whit contacted Dennis Boggs, a fellow “Abraham Lincoln Presenter” in Nashville, TN. After discovering the “Association of Lincoln Presenters”, Whit was quick to join the organization and re-grow the beard.

After watching Boggs perform and learning the techniques of other Presenters, Whit connected his profound interest in drama with the concept of Presenting Lincoln.

After studying the President’s life and behavior, he began developing a speech dressed in character as Lincoln, which he first presented on July 4, 2003.

“Abe” Jr. and Sr.

Presenters McMahan (Left) and Boggs (Right) Nashville, TN

Following this success, Whit combined his deep love for music with his portrayal of Lincoln, developing a presentation of interest to small groups of adults and children. After studying pioneer life, he has also added a show-and-tell theme featuring pioneer toys, games, and cooking utensils characteristic of Lincoln’s boyhood life on the frontier.

Though a newcomer to Presenting Lincoln, Whit looks forward to the future and plans to continue developing his presentations.

His goal, like that of the Association of Lincoln Presenters, is to help in “preserving and reanimating the life of Abraham Lincoln so that it shall not perish from the earth.”

Whit lives in Bellevue (Nashville, TN) and is employed full-time as a Computer Analyst at Baptist Hospital in Nashville. He is now making presentations to retirement centers and is developing a children’s program.

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