Lincoln & History

The work will tackle a long list of deferred maintenance on the grounds.

Four nonprofit organizations received grants from the Sangamon County Historical Society to fund special projects that help preserve and promote local history.

As the nation celebrates Juneteenth, visitors to the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum will be able to see a rare copy of the document that played a key role in freedom.

This month marks the 100th anniversary of one of the deadliest labor disputes in the country. Striking coal miners in the town of Herrin clashed with men brought in to operate a local mine. Nearly two dozen people died, but no one was convicted.

Dr. Gina Lathan is the President of the Route History Museum in Springfield, Ill. She spoke to Community Voices about the many stories shared at the museum including those from African-American business owners and travelers along Route 66. The museum also features an exhibit on Green Book, the book written by Victor Hugo Green which shared safe locations for Black travelers to visit while traveling through parts of America.

Chuck Davis, managing partner at Brown, Hay + Stephens law firm. The business is nearly 200 years old and includes Abraham Lincoln as one of the attorneys who practiced there. Davis discusses the history of the firm and the career of law today.

Olivia Partlow, director, Lincoln Heritage Museum shares what the Lincoln, Illinois museum offers including its current 9-11 special exhibit and the Hawes family letters that provide a window to life at and away from battle during the Civil War.

NPR's Leila Fadel talks to directors Jacqueline Olive and Barak Goodman about the Apple TV+ docuseries, Lincoln's Dilemma, and how the fight for emancipation was larger than one man.

As Lincoln's birthday approaches, we hear from the author of a new book examining the relationships and acquaintances that eventually led to emancipation. Some of those occurred here in Illinois, before Lincoln ever stepped foot in the White House.We also bring you a conversation with the new U.S. Attorney for the Central District of Illinois. He's the first Black individual to hold that office. Those stories and more on this week's Statewide.

Michael Burlingame, professor of History and Naomi B. Lynn Distinguished Chair in Lincoln Studies at the University of Illinois Springfield follows up his book on Mary Todd Lincoln and her marriage with Abraham, An American Marriage, with this book looking as how Lincoln's relationships with African-Americans influenced his racial views, The Black Man's President.