1/27/1894
Fritz Pollard, the first African American professional football coach, is born in Chicago.
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Are you looking for a great gift for the person who has everything or who loves history? Consider a gift membership to the Illinois State Historical Society. Click Message us below and include the comment "Gift Membership" or call the office (217) 525-2781.
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Do you have an exciting local history news story or an event that you would like to share? Use this form to submit it and after a quick review it will be added to our news roll or events calendar. The goal is to add news and events from all over the state to celebrate Illinois’ rich history. Get involved and get the word out about news and events in your area.
The Illinois State Historical Society has worked hard to open an online store which features literature and hard-goods which are related to Illinois. These are often hard to find or limited run items.
If you have a history buff on in your family that is hard to buy for this is your place to shop! While anyone can purchase items we offer additional discounts to ISHS members. Visit our store to browse the current inventory of items, item availability and inventory will change often.
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Becoming a member not only supports the Illinois State Historical Society, but also delivers excellent benefits to you giving you an excellent source of historical literature and resources. We offer multiple membership options for all stages and income levels. Look at our Membership area to find a plan that will work for you and join TODAY.
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Join us for a new ISHS History Happy Hour - January 2021 Edition with Tina Beaird and her lecture 'Pandemic 1918! Battling Influenza During the Great War.'
Sangamon County Historical Society kicks off the county’s 200th Anniversary on January 19, 2021 with the release of a video program on the county's beginning.
A new exhibit, Ink to Paper: Exploring the Advancement of Letter Writing and its Uses, has just opened at the Madison County Archival Library at 801 N. Main Street, Edwardsville. In the exhibit, David Thompson, explores something that is becoming a lost art: letters. The exhibit looks at the instruments used to write them, the various types of letters, and even the stamps that were used to send letters. Many items in the exhibit come from the recently donated Flagg Collection.
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Little Lincoln’s (Virtual) Fireside Tales: Feelings
Little Lincoln’s (Virtual) Fireside Tales invites children 0 to 5 years old (or any child who enjoys story time) to share in an exciting virtual story time, hosted via Zoom, with our Education staff and special visitors. Education staff will lead this interactive story time and at-home arts and crafts activities will be provided at the conclusion of the event. We hope you and your children can join us as we celebrate Abraham Lincoln’s love of books and highlight the importance of literacy.
Center for Lincoln Studies Grand Opening
The University of Illinois Springfield invites you to join us (via Zoom) for the Center for Lincoln Studies Grand Opening.
Please do not use this button to submit or follow-up on submissions for the Illinois Heritage or Journal of the Illinois State Historical Society. Instead visit the links below for the correct submission information.
Illinois State Historical Society | Strawbridge-Shepherd House | 5255 Shepherd Road | Springfield, IL 62703