Perils of Public History

It's not even his hat size

After extensive research, an Illinois state historian found himself unable to certify that the Abraham Lincoln stovepipe hat held by his employer, the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, actually has any known association with Abraham Lincoln.

While Wheeler concluded more study on the hat is warranted, his findings pour an even heavier dose of skepticism on a hat purchased by a private foundation from West Coast collector Louise Taper for display at the ALPLM. The hat was once appraised at $6.5 million. In the report, Wheeler focused on a history of double-dealing, conflicts of interest and a neglect of basic due-diligence in studying the hat's provenance before its purchase.

And then they fired him.