If you are like most educated adults, you know about Abraham Lincoln, the log cabin, his struggles on his way to become president and the tragic way his life ended. What you may not know, however, is how similar his life was to another great leader: Russia's Tsar Alexander II.

At "The Tsar and the President," a historically focused traveling exhibit now at Union Station, visitors can explore the lives of two leaders who changed their nations forever, and whose lives ended in similar tragedy.

"It's only the second time this exhibit has appeared anywhere," says Chelsey Evans, public relations coordinator for Union Station.

Using personal memorabilia like Lincoln's presidential speeches and the opulent artifacts of Russia's royalty to tell each man's story, the exhibit gives visitors a first-hand look at some of the difficult choices the men had to make. Although Lincoln and Alexander had vastly different backgrounds and cultures, Ms. Evans says they shared a similar vision for equality in America and Russia. In 1861, Alexander freed Russia's 22 million peasants from serfdom; then, two years later, Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, ending slavery in America.

The exhibit includes several rooms of artifacts shown in chronological order, including 200 paintings, jewels, the empress' tea set, presidential speeches, diplomatic letters that the men exchanged and American Civil War artifacts, such as authentic slave shackles.

Two rare items on loan from the 10,000-piece Lincoln collection at the University of St. Mary in Leavenworth, Kan., are a ceremonial copy of the 13th amendment and the life mask of Abraham Lincoln.

"He (Bernard H. Hall) left it to us because Abraham Lincoln gave his first presidential campaign speech in Leavenworth," says Penelope Lonergan, the DePaul Library director at St. Mary.

She says their Lincoln exhibit is not normally open to the public, but scholars are able to view it by appointment.

"The Tsar and the President" at Union Station can be seen 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday.

Admission is $9.50 per person. Purchase tickets at the ticketing counter, by phone at (816) 460-2020 or online at www.unionstation.org.

Sylvia anderson | Stjoelive staff