This weekend in Springfield will be exciting for anyone looking to learn more about Illinois’ important role in American history through a variety of events!
The Illinois Secretary of State is partnering with other institutions to commemorate this historic 250th anniversary of America. These events are for all ages and offer the perfect opportunities to learn more about Illinois’ history and more. I encourage families to take advantage of this weekend to continue the celebration of our great nation.
Friday July 17
Illinois State Museum
11 a.m. to 1 p.m. World Bird Sanctuary eagle flight demonstration at the ISM Auditorium
2 to 3 p.m. Meet the ISM staff as you visit the exhibits
All Day (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) Food trucks, games, art projects, bird activities
Illinois State Library
11 a.m. Illinois Children’s Author Program, Jim Edgar Reading Room: Rekha S. Rajan, Can You Dance Like a Peacock?
- The first 100 children will receive books!
Noon Live music in the Library Atrium
2 p.m. Illinois Children’s Author Program, Jim Edgar Reading Room: Cindy and Kirby Pringle, The Butterfly That Would Not Fly
- The first 100 children will receive books!
All Day (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
- Explore online databases through the Illinois Reliable Information Sources (IRIS)
- Visit the children’s reading area
- Register for the Talking Book & Braille Service
- Find titles by Illinois authors
- Stop by the Banned Books collection
Illinois State Archives
1 to 2 p.m. Paper conservation demonstration
All Day (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
- Genealogy research
- Conservation demonstrations
- Kids’ activities
- Special displays
Illinois Supreme Court Historic Preservation Commission
All Day (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) Tours of the Supreme Court and Learning Center
Illinois State Capitol
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (closed noon to 1 p.m. for lunch) Tours of the Capitol building and grounds starting at the top of the hour, as well as special displays
Illinois Secretary of State Police
10 a.m to 2 p.m. Hazardous Device Unit (HDU) and Total Containment Vessel (TCV) response truck on display, parking lot R
10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Demonstrations with K-9 Unit in parking lot R
Saturday July 18
Illinois State Museum
11 a.m. to 1 p.m. World Bird Sanctuary eagle flight demonstration at the ISM Auditorium
2 to 3 p.m. Meet the ISM staff as you visit the exhibits
4 to 6 p.m. Closing Event: Public reception for the exhibits Miles of Memories: Stories from Route 66 and Land of Stories, supported by the Illinois State Museum Society
All Day (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) Food trucks, games, art projects, bird activities
Illinois State Library
11 a.m. Illinois Children’s Author Program, Jim Edgar Reading Room: Mark Russell, Strangely Bumptious and the Ghosts of Crypts Academy
- The first 100 children will receive books!
Noon Live music in the Library Atrium
2 p.m. Illinois Children’s Author Program, Jim Edgar Reading Room: Glennette Tilley Turner, The Gift of Freedom: How Harriet Tubman Rescued Her Brothers
- The first 100 children will receive books!
All Day (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
- Explore online databases through the Illinois Reliable Information Sources (IRIS)
- Visit the children’s reading area
- Register for the Talking Book & Braille Service
- Find titles by Illinois authors
- Stop by the Banned Books collection
Illinois State Archives
1 to 2 p.m. Paper conservation demonstration
All Day (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
- Genealogy research
- Conservation demonstrations
- Kids’ activities
- Special displays
Illinois Supreme Court Historic Preservation Commission
All Day (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) Tours of the Supreme Court and Learning Center
Illinois State Capitol
10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (closed noon to 1 p.m. for lunch) Tours of the Capitol building and grounds starting at the top of the hour, as well as special displays
Illinois Secretary of State Police
10 a.m to 2 p.m. Hazardous Device Unit (HDU) and Total Containment Vessel (TCV) response truck on display, parking lot R
10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Demonstrations with the K-9 Unit, parking lot R