Ridgewood April 25, 2012 THE VILLADOM TIMES II • Page 7 Civil War exhibit includes copy of Gardner photo The Ridgewood Historical Society’s Schoolhouse Museum is currently featuring a “Civil War in New Jersey” exhibit, which includes a copy of Alexander Gardner’s last photo of Abraham Lincoln. Gardner’s photo, which was printed with extreme clarity from the original glass negative, was originally thought to have been taken on April 10, 1865 -- just four days before Lincoln was shot, and five days before his death. Many believe the photo shows a Lincoln who is at peace with himself, having successfully resolved the country’s crisis. His bow tie is loose and askew, one leg rests upon the other, and he casually holds his glasses in his hand. Others, such as the poet Walt Whitman, believe there is “a deep latent sadness” on Lincoln’s face. While he had successfully held the nation together, he was painfully aware how much that had cost the nation, and that those four years of war made him appear much older than his 55 years. Does this photo show a relaxed, casual Lincoln, or a Lincoln who is tired and battle weary? “It’s easy to understand either point of view,” said Museum Curator Joy Hamburger. “The interpretation, though, is best left to the viewer.” To see this photo, an actual Lincoln signature, the Ford’s Theater Playbill from the night of the assassination, and the rest of the items on display in the museum’s “Civil War in New Jersey” collection, visit the Ridgewood Historical Society’s Schoolhouse Museum at 650 East Glen Avenue, Ridgewood. The museum is open Thursday and Saturday from 1 to 3 p.m. and Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. Visit www. ridgewoodhistoricalsociety.org for more information. Pictured at right: Alexander Gardner’s photo of President Abraham Lincoln. A copy of this work is now on exhibit at the Ridgewood Historical Society’s Schoolhouse Museum. The Ridgewood Police Department has once again urged residents not to leave their cars unlocked in public parking areas or even in their own driveways in the wake of yet another series of thefts from unlocked vehicles. “The Ridgewood Police Department would like to remind residents to lock (their) car doors and not leave valuable items, keys, or key fobs in (any) vehicle,” said Ridgewood Police Chief John Ward. The chief also reminded residents to report any suspicious activity immediately. On April 15, a resident of Red Birch Court reported that an unlocked vehicle parked in the driveway was entered overnight. A wallet was stolen. The same day, a Cliff Street resident reported that an unlocked vehicle was entered and items were stolen. On April 14, an Undercliff Court resident reported that his vehicle was entered and items were taken. At 9:26 a.m. on April 11, a Kenwood Road resident reported that this family had returned home and found the sliding rear door of the house shattered. The bedroom and the home office had been ransacked. A wall safe had been removed from a closet interior and a large amount of cash and valuables were reported stolen. The Bergen County Sheriff’s Department has joined the Ridgewood Police Department in this investigation. J. KOSTER Residents urged to lock their cars