Bryce O. Stenzel was born and raised in rural Mankato, Minnesota. The son of working class parents, Bryce learned the traits of honesty, determination, perseverance, courage, loyalty and patriotism at an early age. Not surprisingly, he sought to adopt role models that displayed the same behavioral traits as those possessed by his parents and ancestors. (Bryce's great-great grandfather served in the Civil War and his father served in World War II.) A natural combination of his [Bryce] father's strength and patriotism as well as of his mother's honesty and intellectual curiosity was the character profile of Abraham Lincoln. Young Bryce was fascinated by Lincoln's rise from obscurity as a backwoods farm boy to become the nation's greatest president. 'If Lincoln could do it, then so could he,' reasoned Bryce. He decided that his own future success was based on self-motivation and intellectual improvement. The American dream became more than an abstract concept to Bryce; it was a way of life for him to emulate.

Bryce Stenzel as Abraham Lincoln at the Tacy House.

The underlying interest in Lincoln began for Bryce in grade school, but it was to take on a whole new dimension for him in adulthood. As he matured, Bryce began to develop many of Lincoln's physical characteristics; to this day, many people comment on Bryce's striking resemblance to the sixteenth president, without knowing that he actually does the costumed historical portrayal. He began portraying Lincoln as a way to engage elementary-age children in learning about their history. Now in his 17th year, Bryce has no intention of retiring his frock coat and stovepipe hat. 'My physical resemblance only gets better with age,' he notes.

Lincoln's greatness stemmed from his ability to overcome personal hardships and his ability to leave the world a better place than the way he found it. Lincoln believed that America was the land of opportunity, "the last, best hope of earth." Bryce Stenzel, in his portrayal of Abraham Lincoln tries to pass on that same message to his listeners. He wants all people in general, but young people in particular, to realize that anything is possible in a democratic society. The "new birth of freedom" as outlined in the "Gettysburg Address," was more than rhetoric; it remains as Lincoln's most lasting legacy-proof that he still lives.

Bryce Stenzel as General Baker, "Remembering Deep Valley" Betsy-Tacy Glenwood Cemetery tour.

A theme that pervades all of Bryce's work with Lincoln is to present him as accurately as possible. This attention to detail has not been lost on his audiences as is clearly demonstrated in a letter written to Bryce by Arn Kind, Director of the Fort Union Civil War Youth Camp. In one of his letters to Bryce, acknowledging his participation in the program, Mr. Kind wrote:

In addition to his one-man portrayal of President Lincoln, Bryce Stenzel has written a series of dramatic plays on the life of America's Civil War President. Originally published in 1996 under the title, Abraham Lincoln: Man of the People. Bryce expanded his work into a collection of four plays, spanning Lincoln's entire life, entitled: Lincoln for the StAGES. This work was published in 2005, and is available through Minnesota Heritage Publishing. When he is not writing or portraying Lincoln, Bryce Stenzel enjoys travel and photography.

• History Fest
• Dedication of Lincoln Park Historical Plaque
• Installation of Civil War Grave Marker at Pioneer Memorial Park in Mankato
• President Day program at Tacy's House in Mankato
• Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton Elementary School
• Guest-Appearance at Unitarian Universalist Church in Mankato
• Civil War Reenactment for Sesquicentennial Celebration in Forest City, Iowa
• Glenwood Cemetery Tour for the Betsy-Tacy Society