The Richard E. Hart Memorial Porch Side Chats spring series continues on the theme of “Growing Up in Springfield.” This spring’s series of three programs will be presented at the Elijah Iles House, 628 South Seventh Street on May 3, 17, and 31. The talks will start at 5:30 p.m. and will last about an hour. Light refreshments will be served afterwards. Admission is free, but donations are cheerfully accepted. For more information email ileshouse1998@gmail.com or visit www.ileshouse.org.

The Madison County Historical Society (MCHS) will offer two new exhibits and a companion program beginning May 7 and May 10. “Migration and Health in National and Global History,” will be presented Sunday, May 7, at 2 p.m. at the Main Street Community Center at 1003 N. Main Street in Edwardsville.

The Madison County Historical Society (MCHS) and Friends of the Wildey Theater are hosting “Thomas Jefferson: The Man and Legacy” featuring historian Kurt Smith at the Wildey Theatre on Thursday, May 11, at 7 p.m.

Join us for a  half-day bus tour to the Lewis and Clark State Historic Site on Saturday, May 13, to commemorate the anniversary of the Lewis and Clark Expedition’s departure.

The ceremony honoring a local Underground Railroad conductor will be the topic of the Sangamon County Historical Society program at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 16, at the Bell Tower of Oak Ridge Cemetery, 1440 Monument Ave., Springfield. The event is a joint program of the Sangamon County and Tazewell County Historical Societies. It is free and open to the public.

Join us on May 17 for a porch side chat with former state senator Larry Bomke.

The Richard E. Hart Memorial Porch Side Chats spring series continues on the theme of “Growing Up in Springfield.” This spring’s series of three programs will be presented at the Elijah Iles House, 628 South Seventh Street on May 3, 17, and 31. The talks will start at 5:30 p.m. and will last about an hour. Light refreshments will be served afterwards. Admission is free, but donations are cheerfully accepted. For more information email ileshouse1998@gmail.com or visit www.ileshouse.org.

Robert D. Sampson talks about his new book, Ballists, Dead Beats, and Muffins, a first-ever history of early baseball in Illinois that adds the Prairie State game’s unique shadings and colorful stories to the history of the national pastime.

Join us May 28th, Pentecost Sunday, for our Billy Sunday 1909 Celebration honoring the 115th year anniversary of The Great Springfield Revival. You will hear Billy Sunday impersonator retell Billy's personal transformation story as well as the stories of the transformation of Springfield as a result in the weeks and months that followed.

The Richard E. Hart Memorial Porch Side Chats spring series continues on the theme of “Growing Up in Springfield.” This spring’s series of three programs will be presented at the Elijah Iles House, 628 South Seventh Street on May 3, 17, and 31. The talks will start at 5:30 p.m. and will last about an hour. Light refreshments will be served afterwards. Admission is free, but donations are cheerfully accepted. For more information email ileshouse1998@gmail.com or visit www.ileshouse.org.