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HISTORY COMES ALIVE
Springfield Park District 125th Anniversary
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June 6 - August 10, 2025
History Comes Alive returns for its 16th Season! This summer immerse yourself in Abraham Lincoln’s hometown as you meet our largest cast of historical reenactors yet. Hop on board our free trolley and explore multiple historic sites where you’ll delve into the lives of some of Springfield’s most fascinating people. Lincoln Family Home: Step into the very home where Abraham and Mary Lincoln raised their family before he became the 16th President of the United States. Explore each room imagining the daily life of the Lincoln family. Experience a touch of the past by playing some of the very games that the Lincoln children would have enjoyed. Mary Todd Lincoln's Journey: Learn about Mary Todd Lincoln's life and her challenging journey from Springfield to the White House and back again. Experience the triumphs and many trials of the First Lady during one of the most tumultuous times in American history. Lincoln’s Powerful Words: Experience Lincoln’s powerful words with reenactments of his most famous speeches, in the very spots he originally delivered them, including the House Divided speech and his Springfield Farewell. Flag-Lowering Ceremony: Attend a weekly breathtaking flag-lowering ceremony at the Lincoln Tomb. Witness a Civil War Union infantry march in, guided by the steady beat of a snare drum. The powerful buglers call and solider musket firing commemorate Lincoln’s legacy and the profound sacrifice he made for our nation. Each week, one lucky audience member is presented with the flag to cherish. Live Performances and Daily Demonstrations: Enjoy a variety of live performances and daily demonstrations that bring history to life.
HISTORY COOKS IS BACK!
HISTORY COOKS returns for another season of History Comes Alive! Hosted at the Lincoln Home Historic Site, you can enjoy live cooking demonstrations by local chefs each week. In partnership with Lincoln Land Community College’s Culinary School, we’ll provide recipes after each demonstration, so you can recreate our famous dishes at home. Don't miss out on this delicious blend of history and culinary arts! View the 2022 Recipe Collection! View the 2023 Recipe Collection! View the 2024 Recipe Collection!
SUMMER TROLLEY SERVICE
Summer Trolley Service Experience the rich history of our sites and attractions with our free historic site trolley service! Our hop-on, hop-off air-conditioned trolley is the perfect way to explore most of our major attractions. Available from 10am-4pm Wednesday-Saturday, board the trolley from any of our designated stops, hop off at the attractions you want to visit, and simply hop back on when you want to continue. For more details contact the Springfield Visitors Center. 217-789-2360. Trolley runs June 6th thru August 9th.
Get your Kicks...on Route 66!
ACE SIGN COMPANY - Learn about the evolution of the Signs including NEON at Ace Sign Museum ROUTE 66 EXPERIENCE - Soak in the NEON at the Legends Neon Sign Park as it illuminates the sky each evening at dusk. Located on the IL State Fairgrounds. The ROUTE HISTORY MUSEUM integrates history and technology through exhibits, storytelling, and a virtual reality experience that highlights the significant roles of Black businesses, the Negro Motorist Green Book, the Great Migration, and sundown towns along the Illinois leg of Route 66during the Civil Rights and Jim Crow eras. SHEA’S GAS STATION - You won’t want to miss your Instagrammable moment at this Route 66 ICONIC stop! ROUTE 66 MOTORHEADS BAR, GRILL, & MUSEUM is home to the world’s largest Route 66 shield and is a great place for lovers of Route 66, old cars, and vintage Signs.
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