Current News

Union Pacific Brings Lincoln Locomotive to Springfield, IL July 1
Tuesday, June 24, 2025
Union Pacific will bring its Abraham Lincoln Locomotive to Springfield Illinois on July 1, to note the railroad’s 163rd birthday.

Movie Premiere June 22: ‘The Underground Railroad in Metamora’
Monday, May 26, 2025
The Metamora Association for Historic Preservation is proud to host a movie premier about the Underground Railroad in Metamora on June 22, 2025 at 3:00 pm.

ALNHA added to the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom
Tuesday, May 6, 2025
NPS adds the ALNHA to the Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Program
Upcoming Events

Journey to Freedom: Illinois’ Underground Railroad Exhibit - Old State Capitol
Sunday, June 1, 2025 - Monday, September 1, 2025
Looking for Lincoln presents the travelling exhibit, Journey to Freedom Illinois’ Underground Railroad. The courageous stories of freedom seekers, and the multi-racial conductors who assisted them, are highlighted in this new exhibit about the Underground Railroad in Illinois. Learn about the network of people, who often at great risk to themselves, collaborated to assist those searching for freedom and dignity.

HISTORY COMES ALIVE
Friday, June 6, 2025 - Wednesday, August 6, 2025
History Comes Alive transports you back to 19th Century Springfield. Immerse yourself in Lincoln’s hometown while meeting our largest cast of historical reenactors yet. Live performances, a variety of demonstrations, as well as special presentations of some of Lincoln’s most famous speeches. Springfi eld is truly a city where History Comes Alive! Free downtown trolley service to historic sites Wed-Sat!

Journey to Freedom: Illinois’ Underground Railroad Exhibit - Lincoln Log Cabin Site
Saturday, August 2, 2025 - Tuesday, November 11, 2025
Looking for Lincoln presents the travelling exhibit, Journey to Freedom Illinois’ Underground Railroad. The courageous stories of freedom seekers, and the multi-racial conductors who assisted them, are highlighted in this new exhibit about the Underground Railroad in Illinois. Learn about the network of people, who often at great risk to themselves, collaborated to assist those searching for freedom and dignity.

Regional Highlight
On August 27, 1853, Abraham Lincoln christened the new community of Lincoln Illinois with juice from a watermelon. The town was formed in 1853 when a new community was developed along the Chicago and Alton Railroad and was the first town named after Abraham Lincoln. Today you can visit the christening site marked by a watermelon statue located on the South lawn of the Historic Train Depot in downtown Lincoln, Illinois.