Current News
FILM PREMIERE: "From Courtroom to Capital: Lincoln’s Path to the Presidency
Thursday, October 9, 2025
The public is invited to the premier of the new short film highlighting the people, places, and events on the 8th Judicial Circuit that prepared Abraham Lincoln for the national stage.
Looking for Lincoln Receives Award from the AASLH
Monday, September 15, 2025
The Looking for Lincoln Heritage Coalition is proud to be the recipient of the Award of Excellence from the American Association for State and Local History (AASLH) for our traveling exhibit, ‘Journey to Freedom: Illinois’ Underground Railroad.’
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.
Regional Highlight
On May 29, 1856 Abraham Lincoln gave the "lost speech" at the Illinois State Republican Convention in Bloomington, Illinois to a group of over 1,000 people. The speech lasted 90 minutes and so transfixed his audience that the reporters in attendance forgot to take notes. The speech addressed the need to prevent the expansion of slavery. The speech helped rejuvenate the fledgling Republican Party in Illinois.







