2024 CALENDAR OF EVENTS
| Special Events | |
You will always encounter volunteers on your visit to Lincoln Log Cabin to engage you in the historic experience, but a visit to the site during one of the events below will make your visit extra special. Come and experience 1840s rural life in Illinois! |
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| January |
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| February |
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Lincoln's Birthday Ordinarily closed on Mondays, the Visitor Center will be open in celebration of our 16th president's birthday! Refreshments and a craft for kids in the lobby. | |
| March |
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The Road was Home- Illinois Humanities Road Scholar Presentation In the late 1800s and early 1900s, central Illinois was often visited by the Cooper family, a traveling band of Gypsies, who traded horses, told fortunes, and made many friends throughout the area. The death of a young daughter, and her burial in Marshall Cemetery, solidified the family’s relationship with the area, and they continued to visit for many more years. The Romani families left many traces of their visits here – not only in the tombstones in the cemetery, but also tales of a Gypsy Queen’s blessing on the town of Marshall, a small frame church outside Salem, a Gypsy wagon in Findlay, and memories with those who knew them. Their travels took them over much of central Illinois, and their family roots spread all across the region. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, central Illinois was often visited by the Cooper family, a traveling band of Gypsies, who traded horses, told fortunes, and made many friends throughout the area. The death of a young daughter, and her burial in Marshall Cemetery, solidified the family’s relationship with the area, and they continued to visit for many more years. The Romani families left many traces of their visits here – not only in the tombstones in the cemetery, but also tales of a Gypsy Queen’s blessing on the town of Marshall, a small frame church outside Salem, a Gypsy wagon in Findlay, and memories with those who knew them. Their travels took them over much of central Illinois, and their family roots spread all across the region. As a librarian, Jamie Poorman has a lot of experience with children’s programming, leading book clubs, and presenting programs for public audiences and groups like the DAR. Outside the library, she led the local Cub Scout pack for many years and presented programs and ceremonies for the scouts and their families, and as a board member for the Clark County Historical Society . Easter Fun on the Farms Celebrate a presidential tradition at Lincoln Log Cabin State Historic Site! The Lincolns and Sargents will be hosting a traditional Egg Roll and Easter Egg Hunt, and a craft activit . The Easter Egg Hunt begins at 1:00 p.m., and the Egg Roll begins at 2:00 p.m. Children (12 and under) will be divided into age groups, with each group having staggered start times.
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| April |
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Solar Eclipse 99.99% For the Charleston area the solar eclipse will be a partial eclipse at 99.67%, which will provide a spectacular show. For those who will not be able to travel to the path of totality, there are two viewing events to choose from, one on Eastern Illinois University's campus and another at the Visitor Center at Lincoln Log Cabin State Historic Site. Both sites will offer glasses for viewing (while supplies last), telescopes, pin-hole camera making, and volunteers with expertise.
Amateur Radio Club Event The National Trail Amateur Radio Club (NTARC) members will participate in a special event to mark the anniversary of the death of President Lincoln on Saturday, April 13th from 11am to 3pm. This special event station will be set up at the Visitor Center. Nearly 150 years before the advent of texts, tweets and e-mail, President Abraham Lincoln became the first “wired president” by embracing the original electronic messaging technology—the telegraph. The 16th president may be remembered for his soaring oratory that stirred the Union, but the nearly 1,000 bite-sized telegrams that he wrote during his presidency helped win the Civil War by projecting presidential power in unprecedented fashion. During the Civil War, telegraph wires were strung to follow the action on the battlefield. But there was no telegraph office in the White House, so Lincoln went across the street to the War Department to get the news. President Lincoln frequently slept on a cot in the telegraph room to hear the news of major battles. The NTARC members will be communicating with other amateurs from across the world using the Special Event call sign, W9L. This offers a great opportunity to learn about Ham Radio. Visitors will be allowed to talk on the radios under the direct supervision of an FCC licensed amateur. Brochures and handouts will be available about amateur radio. The National Park Service in Our Region: Places to Experience Our Cultural History
While the popular images of the National Park Service (NPS) often focus on the spectacular scenic sites in the American West or nationally significant historic sites in the eastern U.S., the NPS has a meaningful presence in Illinois and its surrounding states. It includes National Monuments, National Trails, National Heritage Areas and Corridors, National Historic Landmarks (88 in Illinois), and sites on the National Register of Historic Places (over 1,900 in Illinois). Each of those places contributes to the understanding of our region’s cultural history in tangible, visible forms in the cultural landscape. As such, they provide an additional way to learn history that supplements other fields such as literature, music, art, theatrical presentations, and museum curation. Since visits to these sites involve many senses, they can make “history come alive.” As significant as these sites are, some remain less known and underappreciated. The first part of the presentation will cover all the history-related National Monuments and some of the National Historic Landmarks which have statewide significance. The second part of this presentation changes according to location in order to focus on some key National Historic Landmarks and National Register of Historic Places near the site of the program. Dr. Moline hopes to highlight some of those sites that do not receive much attention in and near locales, even when they have gone through the nomination and selection process. Participants are encouraged to share their experiences with any of these historic places. Dr. Moline’s goal is for listeners to come away with the feeling that our cultural history is literally right before our eyes—we can experience it in person! Norman Moline is an educator with experience in historic preservation and urban planning. A long participant in our Road Scholar program, he is returning to offer in-person learning experiences to audiences throughout Illinois. His popular presentations cover topics ranging from historic preservation to cultural geography to China.
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| May | |
Basket Weaving Workshop Make a 10” L x 6” W x 6 ½” H basket! Glory is a pretty wall basket that starts on a filled, woven base. Techniques include twining, start/stop weaving, and triple twining with a step up. A shaker tape handle is attached to the back of the basket. The accent colors are Navy, red and smoked. A pretty pip berry sprig with rusty starts and bells completes this pretty and useful basket. All Weaving Levels Fee includes all materials. Snacks will be provided . Fee is $60- Register here
Made in Central Illnois! Annual Fundraiser Our annual fundraiser will be hosted at the site featuring locally-sourced food as well as drawings for prizes with items representing Central Illinois! Join us for heavy hors d'oeuvres from local providers, Illinois beer and wines, and live music with We AIn't Misbehavin' . Walk around the site to try different foods and experience the site after-hours! . $80 per person- Register here.
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| June |
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July |
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Leather Wallet Making Workshop Friday, July 25 at 6 pm and Saturday, July 27 9 am until finished Visitor Center Basement Make a replica of an 18th-century money wallet that can be used in the 21st century. Learn to dye and properly stitch leather. This will be a two-day workshop, Friday night from 6-8 pm and Saturday from 9 am until finished. We will cut and dye the leather on Friday evening and construct on Saturday. Fee includes all materials and use of tools needed. Lunch provided Saturday. Snacks will be provided Friday night. Workshop fee is $65.00, Register here. Summer Sundays on the Farm Interpreters will demonstrate food preservation methods like jams and herb drying.
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August |
Summer Sundays on the Farm Interpreters will demonstrate food preservation methods like spiced vinegars.
Jerry Ellis Memorial Bluegrass Jam Summer Sundays on the Farm Interpreters will demonstrate food preservation methods like fish on a board and hearth cookin .
Littlest Pioneer- One Day Camp This one-day event is for children who are 5-7 years old and too young for our traditional Pioneer Day Camp. Children will enjoy age-appropriate educational and recreational activities based on the 1840s time period. Each child must be accompanied by a parent or guardian for the duration of the day. The cost is $5 per child to cover supply fees and noon vittles (lunch) to be shared by both child and adult chaperone. Register here
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September |
September 28-29- 10:00 am to 4:00 pm Come celebrate the arrival of autumn at the Harvest Frolic on Saturday and Sunday, September 28 and 29 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. Don't miss experiencing 19th-century life on the farm! Activities will take place at both the Lincoln and Sargent farms and will include children's crafts, food preservation, and hearth cooking. A number of artisans will be on site demonstrating their crafts including, spinning, pottery, ropemaking, blacksmithing, tinsmithing, embroidery, soapmaking, and many other 19th-century crafts. Enjoy performances from The Unreconstructed String Band, storyteller and dulcimer player Mike Anderson, the Clockwork Clown, a Punch and Judy Show, and classic Americana circus performers KB Circus Spectacular. Go on a nature walk or watch a performance from storyteller Brian "Fox" Ellis, and take in the view from the Grand Camera Obscura. Historic cricket demonstrations will also be available on Sunday. Food trucks both days include CZ's Fried Green Tomatoes, Hodge Podge Gourmet Grilled Cheese, Kettle Korn, How I Roll Bake Shop, and We-Lik-It ice cream. Schedule of events posted soon.
| October |
Torchlight Halloween Hike, Storytelling, and Wiener Roast You won’t want to miss the chance to enjoy Lincoln Log Cabin in the dark! Join in this fun-for-all-ages stroll as the paths between our historic farms are lit by torchlight. There will be music, storytelling, bonfires, and a wiener roast near the Visitor Center to benefit programming at Lincoln Log Cabin. Volunteers from the Lincoln Log Cabin Foundation will be selling cider, hotdogs, and s'mores for you to roast over the fire. The Torchlight Hike covers mixed terrain, so please wear appropriate footwear and seasonal outerwear. Rain or shine! A Note for Parents: Some stories in the Lincoln Cabin are "spooky," but all are kid-friendly. The pathway between the farms is lit by torchlight, but may be a bit scary for children who are afraid of the dark. Actors in historic clothing and "friendly ghost" makeup are walking along the path to interact with guests. They will be carrying lanterns and are NOT intended to be frightening. | November |
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December |
Old Fashioned Christmas on the Prairie
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