2015 Conference on Illinois History

The 17th Annual Conference on Illinois History is scheduled for September 24-25, 2015, at the Prairie Capital Convention Center in downtown Springfield and is the state's largest meeting devoted to the history of the Prairie State. The conference includes 25 sessions that feature topics such as politics, Abraham Lincoln, labor, race, immigration, and the Civil War. Teachers will benefit from workshops on a variety of topics.

Click here to view the 2015 Conference on Illinois History program [PDF].  All updates to the program will be posted at www.PresidentLincoln.Illinois.gov and www.illinois.gov/ihpa/Involved/Pages/Conference.aspx.

Questions?  Contact Sabrina Manci at 217-558-9014 or email.
For a printed copy, contact  Shanta Thoele at 217-524-6045 or email.

Thursday luncheon speaker: Fritz Klein as President Abraham Lincoln

President Lincoln will discuss the importance of museums to our children, our society, and our future.  Klein's portrayal of Lincoln brings this American icon to life.  He bears a striking physical resemblance to Lincoln.  His programs are thoroughly researched, historically accurate, and blend Lincoln's humor with his great humanity.  His ability to adapt to any audience and adapt his program's content to your theme means that you are guaranteed to walk away with new insight into the man and a genuine sense that you have been with Lincoln himself.

Friday luncheon speaker:  Theodore J. Karamanski, "Civil War Chicago: Eyewitness to History"

The American Civil War was a crucial event in the development of Chicago as the metropolis of the heartland.  Not only did Chicagoans play an important role in the politics of the conflict, encouraging emancipation and promoting a "hard war" policy against Southern civilians, but they supported the troops materially through production of military supplies and foodstuffs as well as morally and spiritually through patriotic publications and songs.

Looking ahead to the 2016 conference: Call for Papers and Proposals for Teacher Workshops

Proposals for individual papers or panels on any aspect of Illinois’ history, culture, politics, geography, literature, and archaeology are requested for the Conference on Illinois History. The Conference welcomes submissions from professional and avocational historians, graduate students, and those engaged in the study of Illinois history at libraries, historic sites, museums, and historical societies.

Proposals for teacher workshops. Are you a teacher who has created an innovative, comprehensive, or timely curriculum on some aspect of Illinois’ history, culture, politics, geography, literature, or archaeology? Share your expertise with other teachers at the Conference on Illinois History.

The deadline for proposals is March 15, 2016.

To submit your proposal for a paper, panel, or teacher workshop, send:
1. A summary of the topic
2. A one-page resume of participant(s)
3. Paper summaries should include a description of major primary and secondary sources used.

Send proposals to: Sam Wheeler, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library, 112 N. Sixth St., Springfield, IL 62701, or samuel.wheeler@illinois.gov. For more information, call 217-557-8336.