HISTORY COMES ALIVE!
This summer History Comes Alive returns for its 15th Season as Abraham and Mary Lincoln lead a cast of characters on a trip back in time. Meet the Lincolns at historic sites throughout the city and learn about their lives in Springfield. From historic portrayals at locations such as the Lincoln Home National Historic Site, the Lincoln Herndon Law Office Visitors Center, and the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum to a Flag Lowering Ceremony at the Lincoln Tomb with the 114th Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry Reactivated, visitors are invited to become a part of living history. Listen to Abraham deliver some of his most famous speeches at the Lincoln Depot, meet and greet both Mary Lincoln and General Ulysses S. Grant, and enjoy live music and an ice cream social at Edwards Place.
Don't forget to tag @VisitSpringfield along the way so we can follow your experience, and who knows, you may be featured in future marketing!
HISTORY COMES ALIVE! May 31 - August 4, 2024
Calling all foodies! By popular demand, HISTORY COOKS is back for another season of History Comes Alive. Hosted at the Lincoln Home Historic Site, you can enjoy live cooking demonstrations by local chefs each week inspired by some of Springfield's most famous "fooderies" over the past 100+ years. In partnership with Lincoln Land Community College's Culinary School, recipes will be available after the demonstration so you can try our famous food at home!
A Day in the Life! - Stop by the Visitors Center in the historic Lincoln-Herndon law office for a presentation on the life a local historian, museum curator, and state archivist. Explore the responsibility of acquiring, cataloging, preserving, and presenting priceless artifacts, documents, and historical structures; all to ensure they are around for future generations to come. This experience will include a visit from a local museum professional as well as a short walk to the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library. Total experience will last approximately 1 hour.
Gettysburg Speech Reenactment! The Gettysburg Address is one of the most famous and influential speeches in American history. While just 272 words, it perfectly expresses the ideals of democracy, freedom, and equality that define the American nation. Each Saturday a different student, who were previously selected during a winter speech contest, will present the iconic speech on the steps of the historic Old State Capitol. Afterwards our Abraham Lincoln Portraitist will share interesting facts and details about the famous speech "that saved America''.
Summer Downtown Trolley Service! Experience the rich history of our downtown sites and attractions with our free historic site trolley service! Our hop-on, hop-off air-conditioned trolley is the perfect way to explore most of our major attractions. Available from 10am-4pm Wednesday-Saturday, board the trolley from any of our designated stops, hop off at the attractions you want to visit, and simply hop back on when you want to continue. For more details visit the Springfield Visitors Center in the Historic Lincoln-Herndon Law Office. 217-789-2360 Runs May 31st thru August 4th.
More information! For complete details and full schedule of events, go to: VisitSpringfieldlllinois.com/HistoryComesAlive
