SitesFind a site within the Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area
EventsThe Heritage Area has a lot of events for you to discover
NewsKeep up on the most recent news from Looking for Lincoln
Current News
Lots of Lincoln Activities at the 2023 Illinois State Fair
Saturday, June 24, 2023
Looking for Lincoln is proud to bring our 16th president to the Illinois State Fair again in 2023, along with other Lincoln-era activities on the lawn of the Illinois Building near the main gate.
Looking for Lincoln on NPR
Saturday, February 18, 2023
NPR Illinois and Looking for Lincoln are joining forces all week long, Feb 20-24, 2023 to tell a handful of the lesser-known stories of early Illinois.
Bronzeville-Black Metropolis is Illinois' newst National Heritage Area
Tuesday, January 24, 2023
Congratulations to Bronzeville-Black Metropolis for becoming Illinois’ newest National Heritage Area. Welcome to the NPS family!
Upcoming Events
Water Under the Bridge Abraham Lincoln and the Effie Afton Case
Wednesday, May 8, 2024 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
The Effie Afton Case (Hurd v. Rock Island Bridge Co.) is one of Lincoln’s most famous cases. Pitting the established river interests of St. Louis versus the burgeoning railroad interests of Chicago, the case has traditionally emphasized Lincoln’s support of the railroad and new technologies. Recent scholarship shows that might not be the case. Join John Lupton and Dr. Samuel Wheeler from the Illinois Supreme Court Historic Preservation Commission to discuss what happened when the Effie Afton crashed into the first railroad bridge to span the Mississippi River at Rock Island.
John Lupton is the Executive Director of the Illinois Supreme Court Historic Preservation Commission. Samuel Wheeler is the Director of History Programs for the Illinois Supreme Court Historic Preservation Commission.
This program will livestream on Looking for Lincoln's Facebook page and YouTube Channel. The event is FREE.
Regional Highlight
The Lincoln Depot or Great Western Depot is the place where Abraham Lincoln left Springfield as President elect en route to D.C. On the morning of Feb 11, 1861 Lincoln said his final goodbyes to friends and supporters at the depot before boarding the train. At 8 am Lincoln gave an impromptu speech to a crowd of over 1000 people who had gathered to see him off. You can visit the first floor of the Lincoln depot which offers a self-guided tour.