Chicago looks great from every angle, whether you're exploring the city's astonishing architecture during a guided tour or you're enjoying the birds-eye view from the 103rd floor of Skydeck Chicago in the Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower) and the 94th floor Hancock Observatory. The city's 29 miles of lakefront paths are just one reason Chicago is one of the world's most walkable and beautiful cities.

Chicago is often called a friendly city - and you'll agree when you accept the city's warm invitation to sample such free attractions as Lincoln Park Zoo, home to more than 1,000 mammals, reptiles, and birds.

The Chicago History Museum stands at the crossroads of America's past and its future. If you live in Chicago or visit here and are curious about the city's past, present, and future, the Museum should be your first stop.

For information:
Chicago Office
2301 S. Lake Shore Drive
Chicago, IL 60616
Phone: 312-567-8500
Fax: 312-567-8533
www.choosechicago.com/

On August 27, 1858, the historic Lincoln-Douglas debates took place in Freeport and although Douglas won the election and retained his senate seat, his reply to a question on slavery alienated the South, which called it the "Freeport Heresy," and split the Democratic Party. This enabled Lincoln to win the Presidency in 1860.

A monument to the debate was dedicated in 1903 by President Theodore Roosevelt and stands at this site. A life size statute recreating the event was dedicated in 1992. Another renowned statue, "Lincoln the Debater." by Leonard Crunelle, is a focal point in the city's Taylor Park.

The Stephenson County Historical Society preserves local history in "Bohemiana," an Italiante mansion once owned by Oscar and Malvina Tayor and listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The Taylor's devoted their energies to creating an arboretum at the site and today it contains the largest variety of old trees in the county. Also on the property, are a Farm Museum, a relocated one-room schoolhouse, and an 1840 log cabin.

For information:
Freeport/Stephenson County Convention and Visitors Bureau
4596 US Route 20 East, Freeport, IL 61032
Phone: 815-233-1357 800-369-2955 Fax: 815-233-1358
www.stephenson-county-il.org/

Galena has a rich history which is still visible in the city's architecture. Originally inhabited by Native Americans in the Sac and Fox Nation, by the late 17th century, French people began to settle in the area and in the early 19th century American settlers arrived.

The official flag of Galena was adopted by the city of Galena in 1976 to symbolize mining, agriculture, steamboats, and the 9 American Civil War generals from the city.

Step back in time and visit a bygone era when steam-boating and lead mining once ruled the day. Marvel in 19th century architecture, or take a guided tour of the sites. Learn how faded memories of the past come to life while exploring the historic sites like the Washburne State Historic Site or the Belvedere Mansion and Gardens and the full array of museums of Galena and Jo Daviess County.

Learn some spooky history on a guided ghost walk, see the sights through the window of a trolley or from the back of a horse-drawn carriage, tour an historic mansion…and more.

For information:
Galena/Jo Daviess County Convention & Visitors Bureau
101 Bouthillier Street, Galena, IL 61036
1-877-Go Galena (464-2536)
www.galena.org

The Chicago History Museum is a privately endowed, independent institution devoted to collecting, interpreting, and presenting the rich multicultural history of Chicago and Illinois, as well as selected areas of American history, to the public through exhibitions, programs, research collections, and publications.

Much of the early collection amassed by the museum was destroyed in the Great Chicago Fire in 1871, but like the city, the museum rose from the ashes. Among its many documents which were lost in the fire was the original Emancipation Proclamation signed by Abraham Lincoln.

After the fire, the Society began collecting new materials, which were stored in the Scammon Building until it, and their collection, were again destroyed by fire in 1874. The Chicago Historical Society built a fireproof building on the site of its pre-1871 building. The replacement building opened in 1896. The current home of the Museum was constructed in 1932 and in addition to the exhibits, the museum houses a research library which is open to the public.

Directions/Location:
1601 N. Clark St.
Chicago, IL 60614

Phone: 312.642.4600

Hours of Operation:
Monday-Saturday 9:30 AM-4:30 PM
Sunday 12 noon -5:00PM

This beautiful park is landscaped exquisitely to highlight not only the dominating figures of Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas, but also the story that surrounded both them and the community of Freeport.

Located along the elegant walkway, visitors can expect to be engaged by the numerous storyboards that explain the tale of slavery, the Kansas-Nebraska Act, and the race for the Senate of Illinois in 1858.

The story is examined from many angles and as the visitor winds their way to the grand presence of the statues, they are sure to enjoy a greater understanding of what the debate means to us today and all within the resplendent surroundings of modern landscaping.

Directions/Location:
Corner of Douglas and State Streets in Freeport, Illinois

Phone: n/a

Hours of Operation:
n/a

The Stephenson County Historical Society's collection is housed in the former home of Oscar and Malvina Snow Taylor. The Taylors were one of Freeport's prominent early families. Descendents of their only son, Oscar Jr., donated the home to the Historical Society in 1944. The home is decorated as it would have been when the Taylors lived there during the Victorian era. The museum's exhibits and collections provide insight into the history of many eminent Stephenson County families and businesses.

After Oscar Taylor and Malvina Snow were married in 1842, the couple first made their home in a cottage on Adams Street in Freeport. Oscar was admitted to the bar in 1850 and opened a bank in 1851. In 1857, Oscar hired Otis Wheelock of the Chicago architectural firm of Boyington and Wheelock to design a home for his growing family. Wheelock also designed Freeport's Brewster House Hotel where Abraham Lincoln stayed when in town for the Lincoln Douglas debate.

Directions/Location:
1440 South Carroll Avenue
Freeport, Illinois 61032

Phone: (815) 232-8419

Hours of Operation:
Wednesday - Sunday 12 Noon - 4:00 PM

On August 18, 1865, Galena celebrated the return of its Civil War hero General Ulysses S. Grant. Following a jubilant procession with much flag waving and speeches, a group of Galena citizens presented the General with a handsome furnished house on Bouthillier Street. The house is managed by the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency as the U.S. Grant Home State Historic Site.

Visitors are provided with an interpreter-conducted tour of the Grant Home. Interpreters are dressed in historic costumes from April through October. The tour emphasizes Grant as the victorious war leader, the 1868 candidate for president, and the eighteenth President of the United States. The adjacent building contains exhibits on Grant's life and history of the Grant Home. The first floor of the Home is accessible to persons with disabilities, as are the exhibit room and restrooms in the building next door. The Home's second floor is not accessible.

Directions/Location:
500 Bouthillier St., Galena

Phone: (815) 777-3310

Hours of Operation:
March-October We-Su 9-5 pm
November-February We-Su 9-4 pm

Housed in an 1858 Mansion, visitors will discover that a great part of the excitement of the museum is its setting -- a beautiful Italianate home built as a private residence by Galena merchant Daniel Barrows. Much of the home's original detail still exists. So step back in time and explore Galena's past in the ambience of 19th century surroundings.

This museum is filled with over 6,000 square feet of exhibit space. Between exhibits and storage area, the building houses over 10,000 artifacts collected since 1938.

Directions/Location:
211 S. Bench St.

Phone: (815) 777-3310

Admission:
Members: Free
Adults: $4.50
Children 10-18: $3.50
Children Under 10 are FREE!

Hours of Operation:
9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Open Daily -- Year Round (Except Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve/Day And New Year's Eve/Day)